The Empathy Edge Catherine Ducharme: Managing Up for Two-Way Empathy
Managing up is one of the most powerful career accelerators you can master—and it all starts with empathy. Not just empathy flowing downward from leaders to teams, but empathy for your leaders: understanding their pressures, challenges, and decision-making context so you can build trust, influence outcomes, and create mutual success.
Given multiple generations in the workforce, we need empathy flowing up for leaders dealing with added pressures and mental health issues right now. Today’s guest, Catherine Ducharme—Founder of Fluency Leadership, award-winning communicator, certified coach, and TEDx speaker—has spent over 30 years helping leaders and teams lead with heart, curiosity, and inspiration. She shares her own story of learning to manage up, the mindset shifts that change everything, and practical ways to anticipate needs, respond more effectively, and position yourself as a strategic leader.
To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.
Listen in for…
- How to shift your own perspective, rather than trying to change others.
- Ways to hold your boundaries, while still meeting people where they are.
- The team building skills you cultivate when you engage in everyday activities with coworkers.
- Why is there nothing small about small talk or soft about soft skills?
"A little vulnerability goes a long way. And it doesn't mean you're pouring your heart out, your woes and everything to your team, but giving them insight to what you're juggling or what's on your mind will tip the balance toward compassion." — Catherine Ducharme
Episode References:
- Catherine’s article on managing up: www.fluencyleadership.com/2024/07/17/the-crucial-art-of-managing-up
- Fluency's Trust Breakout exercise: http://bit.ly/4lqTBun
- Book: Seen: The Untapped Power of Appreciation - coming in 2026 - Find out more here
- TEDx Talk: The Untapped Power of Appreciation
About Catherine Ducharme, Founder, Fluency Leadership
Founder and Principal of Fluency Leadership, a leadership + team development and coaching practice, Catherine is a certified coach and facilitator with 30+ years of professional communications and leadership experience. She works with leaders and teams to build relational skills, empowering them to lead and influence with heart, empathy, curiosity, and inspiration. She’s been recognized as Regional Leader of the Year by the International Association of Business Communicators. She’s passionate about the need for more appreciation in the workplace and did a TEDx talk on that topic.
From Our Sponsor:
Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game-changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross
Connect with Catherine:
Fluency Leadership: fluencyleadership.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/catherineducharme
Connect with Maria:
Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books
Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross
Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader
LinkedIn: Maria Ross
Instagram: @redslicemaria
Facebook: Red Slice
Sign up for Optionality now! Go to opt
Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross