Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

Leadership's Missing Link: How Empathy Unlocks Human Potential with Matt Breitfelder

59 snips

Apr 7, 2025

In this insightful discussion, Matt Breitfelder, Partner and Head of Human Capital at Apollo, delves into the essential role of empathy in leadership. He emphasizes how cultivating a strong cultural foundation fosters high performance and trust among teams. Matt explores the challenges of modern leadership, from navigating hybrid work to leveraging AI, while advocating for a strengths-based approach to unlock human potential. His views on continuous learning and the importance of psychological safety offer valuable gems for leaders aiming to thrive in today's dynamic workplace.

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ANECDOTE

Upbringing and Career Path

Matt Breitfelder's parents were an entrepreneur and a therapist, exposing him to both business and psychology.
This upbringing shaped his career path, blending his understanding of business and people.

INSIGHT

HR's Potential

Matt Breitfelder realized the HR field could address the high failure rate of corporate strategies and low employee engagement.
He recognized the importance of HR in solving significant business problems.

INSIGHT

The Modern CHRO

The modern CHRO must balance operational duties with leading change and coaching.
Coaching is crucial, leveraging their understanding of company dynamics and employee needs.

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The best leaders aren’t just great decision-makers—they build cultures. So what does it actually take to create a thriving, high-performance culture?

Today’s guest, Matt Breitfelder, is one of the most influential leadership architects in modern business. As Partner and Head of Human Capital at Apollo — one of the world’s leading asset management companies — he’s charged with attracting some of the world’s top talent and creating a high performance culture that brings out the best in his teams.

This episode with Matt is the first episode in a series of conversations we’ve been having with global leaders in Human Resources. They are at the forefront of helping define Modern Leadership and what it takes to attract, retain, and build the next generation of leaders. This is a complex challenge as leaders grapple with the turbulent transformations reshaping today’s workforce. From the shift to—and from—hybrid work to the integration of emerging technologies, like AI, these conversations highlight the leadership capabilities that will help teams thrive in the modern workplace.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Matt recently when we were in New York. During our conversation, we explored what separates great leaders from the rest, how strengths-based leadership unlocks potential, why the best organizations build cultures of trust and challenge, and many other gems of leadership and talent wisdom.

You won’t want to miss this incredible conversation with Matt Breitfelder.

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