The Empathy Edge

Carol Vallone Mitchell, Ph.D: The Unspoken Crisis of Male Leadership

Oct 17, 2023

36:21

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Carol Vallone Mitchell, Ph.D., a thought leader on male leadership paradigms, dives into the evolving landscape of leadership in today’s market. She candidly discusses the unspoken crisis single-handedly affecting male leaders who struggle with empathy and vulnerability. Traditional notions of masculine leadership are challenged, revealing that authenticity and emotional connection are vital for success. Mitchell also emphasizes that effective leadership transcends gender, encouraging all leaders to embrace empathy for more collaborative and inclusive workplaces.

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Quick takeaways

Empathy is essential for effective collaborative leadership, challenging traditional masculine norms that discourage emotional expression and vulnerability.

True empathetic leadership transcends gender, emphasizing that how leaders choose to engage authentically is what truly matters for success.

Deep dives

The Complexity of Empathy in Leadership

Empathy is a crucial trait for collaborative leadership, yet it presents a challenge, particularly for male leaders ingrained in traditional paradigms. Many men face pushback for adopting empathetic approaches as they are often socialized to exhibit authority rather than vulnerability. However, the podcast emphasizes that effective leadership in today’s environment requires a shift towards emotional intelligence, connection, and humility, which are traits historically associated with femininity yet now recognized as essential for success. The guest speaker, Carol Valone Mitchell, Ph.D., highlights how leaders who temper their egos and engage authentically with their teams can foster better workplace cultures and achieve superior business outcomes.

Intro

2min

Navigating the Crisis of Male Leadership in a Changing Paradigm

3min

Empathy in Leadership: Bridging Gender Dynamics

16min

Empathy in Leadership: Navigating Masculinity and Inclusivity

6min

Empathy in Leadership

6min

Emphasizing Purpose and Engagement in Leadership

3min

If you've been with me a minute, you know that leadership paradigms are changing. Yet it's causing an unspoken crisis for male leaders in particular. Being empathetic and showing vulnerability are not consistent with how men have been socialized or how many women leaders were advised to lead. But that ain't gonna fly anymore in today's market or with today's talent! Leaders disrupting this status quo need to be strong against the push back and show the great results.

Today Carol Vallone Mitchell answers the popular question of whether women leaders are "better at" empathy than men and what role gender plays in successful collaborative leadership. We discuss how empathy is a critical trait of collaborative leaders, and she shares how leadership effectiveness has traditionally been framed in stereotypical masculine terms - and why those are no longer effective for success today.

To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

Empathy is a foundation for collaborative leadership.
Acquiescence, submission, and people pleasing are not empathy. If you are being burnt out by “empathy” then you’re probably not actually practicing empathy.
Gender is irrelevant in being an effective leader, employee, or human being. It is how you choose to lead that really matters.

"Society teaches young men that to grow up and be successful, tney don't dare express their emotions- a lot of it is self control. And I think that's how empathy is perhaps a bit of a threat for men, because that message is still very much out there." — Carol Vallone Mitchell, Ph.D

Episode References:

Amer Kaissi, The Empathy Edge podcast: Humbitious Leadership Equals Success
Denise Roberson, The Empathy Edge podcast: Mistakes Leaders and Boards Make When Thinking About Purpose

About Carol Vallone Mitchell, Founding Principal, Talent Strategy Partners, Author Collaboration Code and Breaking Through "Bitch"

Carol Vallone Mitchell, PH.D. has an instinct and a passion for understanding what makes people tick. This has led her to focus her career on identifying and developing leaders who will build and nurture the right workplace culture and drive results. She cofounded Talent Strategy Partners in 2001 and has brought her expertise to numerous companies, including many in the Fortune 500. Carol is the author of two books based on her research. “Collaboration Code: How Men Lead Culture Change and Nurture Tomorrow’s Leaders” and “Breaking Through ‘Bitch’- How Women Can Shatter Stereotypes and Lead Fearlessly.” She has written numerous articles featured in publications including Fast Company, Chief Learning Officer, SHRM Executive, Workspan, Thrive Global, and Forbes; and, has been featured on various radio programs and podcasts.

She received her doctorate in Organizational Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania

Warm weather and swimming enthusiasts, Carol and her family are "honorary residents" of Hawaii, spending much of their time-off over the last 25 years in Kona. She is an avid tennis fan and plays acoustic guitar.

Connect with Carol Vallone Mitchell, Ph.D:

Talent Strategy Partners LLC: tsphr.com

Author Site: carolvallonemitchell.com

Collaboration Code rb.gy/tjjxel

Breaking Through "Bitch" amzn.to/2zmooDA

X: twitter.com/cv_mitchell

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carolvallonemitchell

Facebook: facebook.com/collaborationcode

Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy

Connect with Maria:

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com