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Author Archives: Amy Kay Watson
18
Aug
Aug
Inspired by Dave Anderson’s article at Scarlet Ink. The Leadership Myth Whether we say it aloud or not, the intuitive wisdom about leadership (which clearly grew out of the machoism of the mid-twentieth century) is that tough leaders get ahead, but empathetic ones get ignored. It’s such old thinking that it feels instinctive: forceful personalities
30
Jul
Jul
Kindness as a Leadership Imperative This article unpacks key findings from “Why Kindness isn’t a Nice to Have” by by Nicki Macklin, Thomas H. Lee and Amy C. Edmondson and explains how leaders can turn kindness from a “nice to have” into a practical, performance-driven management discipline. Table of Contents Why Kindness Matters More Than
29
Jul
Jul
This article unpacks key findings from Melody Wilding’s HBR article, “How to Stay on Top of Your Team’s Projects–Without Micromanaging” and explains how leaders can turn research into practical strategies for managing performance with empathy and accountability. Table of Contents Why This Article Matters Leaders are under constant pressure to know what’s happening inside their
06
Jul
Jul
Summary: This article explores the concept of “mind-in, hands-off” leadership—a way of managing that prioritizes presence over control. Drawing on personal examples and the influence of Katharine Graham’s leadership style, it emphasizes the value of staying mentally engaged without micromanaging. The article also discusses how this same mindset applies when working with generative AI: true
30
Jun
Jun
Summary: This article unpacks key findings from the 2025 State of Workplace Empathy Report and explains how leaders can turn research into practical strategies for managing performance with empathy and accountability. Table of Contents One of my first coaching clients was a minister who felt trapped and under fire. Her staff resisted her leadership. Her
28
Jun
Jun
Summary: Empathy isn’t about rescuing—it’s about staying present with the discomfort of growth. This post explores how leaders like Michele Lewis Reeves hold the tension between current reality and future potential, guiding performance improvement without collapsing into quick fixes. Through real stories and the lens of creative tension, it offers a model for lasting change.
23
Jun
Jun
Summary This article unpacks key findings from Why Empathetic Leadership Matters Now More Than Ever and explains how leaders can turn research into practical strategies for managing performance with empathy and accountability. Table of Contents Why Do People Care So Much About Empathy in Leadership? This article is about something you probably already know in
19
Jun
Jun
Summary: This article unpacks key findings from the HBR article Employee Stress Is a Business Risk—Not an HR Problem and explains how leaders can turn research into practical strategies for managing performance with empathy and accountability. Table of Contents Why This Report Matters The report’s core message is that stress is a systemic business risk
05
Jun
Jun
An Update from Amy: This post on “Hero Mode” has been expanded! The story you’ll read below is now the introduction to my complete framework, “The Leader as Regulator.” To get the full diagnostic toolkit, tactics, and scripts for leading through change, please click here to read the new, consolidated article. When I heard that Dan
