It ’ s time to get selfish and put your people first
LEADERSHIP & STRATEGY
It ’ s time to get selfish and put your people first
A global company with 70,000 + employees across almost 100 countries , Cisco prides itself on being an employeecentric culture with a purpose of powering an inclusive future for all , and the crisis has further amplified the need for this . Here , Francine Katsoudas , EVP and Chief People , Policy & Purpose Officer , discusses the power of empathy in leadership .
Empathy is a superpower . We know that progress happens when we see the world through others ' eyes . Proximity is a way of being . When we get proximate to someone else ’ s experience , especially those different than our own , we grow , develop new perspectives , and engage more effectively with others . In our work , then , we need to navigate how to listen , not tell ; how to make space for things we may not agree with ; and how to expand the space we make for our people .
Empathy will change the way in which we engage with each other .
Today , trust in leadership is table stakes , and building this culture of trust has to start at the top . At this moment , CEOs and CHROs have the incredible opportunity to institutionalise inclusive leadership , marked by empathetic teams and leaders , and align to a broader societal purpose to compete for and retain top talent . Doing so is good for your employees , good for your company , and ultimately , good for the world . Francine Katsoudas EVP and Chief People , Policy & Purpose Officer , Cisco
58 June 2021