Fairness and Empathy: The Cornerstones of True Leadership

On the path to greatness, it usually calls into mind a number of qualities: discipline, intelligence, resiliency, focus. All those qualities are so very important; however, there is one quality that stands above all the others—really a defining quality of top performers, which separates them from mere competence: fairness. This would involve this key characteristic: being in tune with your values, leading with empathy, and listening to your people in a way that they truly feel heard.

Stay Connected to Values

Fairness and equality at their core are attached to one’s values. Each one of us has moral compasses, things that define right from wrong. It is being true to those values, no matter what difficult circumstances occur, that really defines a top performer.

Take as an example Mahatma Gandhi—a man standing in the ranks of the most respectable leaders Indian history has ever seen. He constituted his life and built his movement based on the principle of non-violence and equality. He was fastidious in his commitment to fairness in treating all people alike, irrespective of caste, creed, or nationality. In applications against British colonialism, Gandhi showed that success could also be achieved without others having to lose. On the contrary, it could be done by maintaining fidelity with one’s values and could bring into effect lasting change.

He once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” This tattoo speaks in some way of the need for personal responsibility in one’s life and in bringing about fairness and equality when the world around one does not.

Look from an international perspective at the late Nelson Mandela, former President of the Republic of South Africa, who was incarcerated in prison for 27 years, fighting against apartheid. The hardships he endured were unimaginable, and yet he came out of that prison carrying with him the same values he had upon entering: justice, equality, and reconciliation. He had ample chances to get revenge once he became the first Black head of this nation, and yet he said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” Clear in his commitment to the values of his life, Mandela led South Africa toward recovery and reconciliation, making him an international icon for justice and parity. 

In business, too, there is a need to connect with values. Companies such as Patagonia, founded by Yvon Chouinard, have created a brand around environmental responsibility and social equity. Their mantra of “Do no harm” ensures they stick to their values even when the financial decisions become really hard. By treating their employees, customers, and the planet with respect and fairness, they’ve built a thriving enterprise that really resonates with consumers. 

Lead with Empathy

Empathy is the ability to check and share other people’s feelings; rather, it’s the base upon which fairness towards other people sits. The empathetic leader and performer see the world from another perspective, but more importantly, they recognize the humanity in other people. This builds stronger bonds with people and helps in bringing out a setting where everyone is valued and supported.

One beautiful example of leading with empathy from Indian history is King Ashoka himself. From a ruthless conqueror, Ashoka turned over a new leaf after he witnessed the devastation caused by the wars of expansion. He then turned to Buddhism and vowed that the remaining life he had left he would rule with compassionate and empathetic sentiments. Ashoka’s famous edicts carved on pillars across his empire spoke volumes about his focused vision: to be fair, kind, and concerned about the welfare of all living beings. His reign is marked as one of the most just in Indian history and stands out as an example of the strength of empathy possessed by a leader.

In a rather more contemporary context, Jacinda Ardern, the former New Zealand PM, is often lauded as an archetypal example of compassionate leadership. When tragedy struck in the form of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, one saw the response of Ardern—a lateral act of compassion, immediate inclusiveness, and firm action. The ability to show empathy towards the Muslim community, along with swiftly passing some gun laws in the wake of tragedy, drew her worldwide acclaim. At every moment, it was a reminder that the Prime Minister’s approach is one wherein empathy is not a weakness but a strong bond that unites and opens up space where fairness can thrive.

Leaders are exceptional in their influence on the morale and productivity of teams at work with their empathetic leading. Interestingly enough, Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, actually changed its culture by putting much emphasis on empathy and inclusivity. Under his leadership, Microsoft shifted from being a cutthroat and competitive environment to one where collaboration and regard for the emotional feelings of their employees were very strong. Such was the approach that Nadella instigated within Microsoft to make it one of the most successful and widely admired companies in the world. It actually proves the fact that empathy brings about both human and business success.

Listening and Making People Feel Heard

One of the easiest ways to treat people well—but also one of the most profound—is to listen. Deeply, intently listening sends a powerful message that the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of the other person matter. The top performer knows the act of listening is not about words; it is emotion and perspective filtered through the mind of another individual.

The story of Indian sage and king Janaka is a timeless parable to the power of listening. In one well-known anecdote, Janaka was a wise king who listened intently to the concerns of his subjects, no matter how trivial they seemed. This earned him the love and respect of his people. He has always believed that true listening will enable him to learn his people’s needs and rule justly. His story epitomizes the very idea of making the other person feel heard, irrespective of status or position. Globally, one may look at the leadership of Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo: Nooyi generally listened to her lieutenants beyond those Jingle conversations to understand the deeper areas of concern. She even wrote personal letters to the parents of her senior-most executives, thanking them for their contributions towards the company. By listening and then taking action on what she had learned, Nooyi worked to instill a culture of loyalty and dedication into PepsiCo, whereby success wasn’t solely about strategy but very much about people: valued and counted.

Another strong example of such leadership is that of Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks. He spent much time amongst the stores, listening to workers and customers alike. His focus on understanding the needs of his workers—including health benefits for part-time employees—ended up becoming one of the most recognized brands in the world: Starbucks.

Conclusion

Treating others fairly and equally is not just some sort of search in ethics, but it identifies top performers in all fields. Whether that is by staying connected to your values, leading with empathy, or listening in a way that makes others feel heard, fairness and equality have the power to change individuals, teams, and entire organizations, even nations. The examples of Gandhi, Mandela, Ashoka, Jacinda Ardern, and many others suggest that true greatness arises not in one’s personal gain but in lifting others up. As Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Learn more about how to become a Top Performer at: ORL Leadership Summit 2024.

Dr. Prahlada N.B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh). 
MBA (BITS, Pilani), MHA, 
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru). 

Senior Professor and former Head, 
Department of ENT-Head & Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implant Surgery. 
Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India. 

My Vision: I don’t want to be a genius.  I want to be a person with a bundle of experience. 

My Mission: Help others achieve their life’s objectives in my presence or absence!

My Values:  Creating value for others.