This episode is brought to you by Businessolver. Since 1998, Businessolver has delivered market-changing benefits technology, and services supported by an intrinsic responsiveness to client needs. The company creates client programs that maximize benefits program investment, minimize risk exposure, and engage employees with easy-to-use solutions and communication tools to assist them in making wise and cost-efficient benefits selections. Founded by HR professionals, Businessolver's unwavering service-oriented culture and secure SaaS platform provide measurable success in its mission to provide complete client delight.

Show-Notes:

Leaders, the “Coach” in Business [5:04]
“Empathy is about understanding people and where they need to be met” Rae Shanahan, CSO of Businessolver, opens the interview with Marcel sharing a great analogy of leadership and coaching. Coaches don’t practice with the team and leave them during the game when it really counts, and neither to good empathic leaders. They are there with support, understanding, and motivation through every step of the way.

Chief Empathy Officer [18:32]
“Every layer within the organization needs to focus on empathy” Empathy is important at every level, including at the top with our CEOs. Rae explains the traditional saying of treating others how you want to be treated and instead looking at it through the lens of everyone's unique situations.

Empathy and Psychological Safety [22:58]
“You cannot have a fear-based environment and foster empathy and the heart of leadership” “Blue Sparkle” is an initiative that Rae began 10 years ago at Businessolver, where employees share positivity from work or their personal life each day. Marcel connects this to Amy Edmondson’s work in psychological safety, and how it is truly needed for effective empathy.

Financial Impact of Empathy [31:50]
“Grow our business, delight our clients” This statement is part of the mission at Businessolver. Rae explains how this simply can’t be possible without the culture they’ve created with their employees. When employees feel delighted and supported at work they will do the same for the clients and in turn, grow the business. Marcel reminds listeners, this isn’t just empathy for empathy's sake, it’s the right thing to do and has an important impact on your business.

Links to the episode:

—Marcel's website: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/rae-shanahan-the-businessolver-way-ep-173
—Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rae-shanahan-the-businessolver-way/id1456073489?i=1000597656209
—Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xOTUwMTI1LnJzcw/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xMjE2MDU0NQ?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwiQvt_1j_b8AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
—Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rjYcMZlLdHyoPIKgDt4dP

About the Show

The Love in Action Podcast is part of a global movement that inspires leaders to reimagine the conditions necessary for creating human-centered and humane workplaces where people and businesses flourish. The show is now heard in 160 countries and is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts. Episodes are published every Thursday and can be heard on your favorite podcast platform. If you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a review on iTunes!

Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors
As we challenge current management thinking and practices and build skills around human leadership and human-centered work cultures, we would be delighted to accept your sponsorship for future episodes. If interested, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/