Do you ever feel caught between being a compassionate leader and making tough decisions? If you’ve ever struggled to balance kindness with authority—whether at work or at home—this episode is for you.

I’m joined by Maria Ross, empathy advocate, speaker, strategist, and author of The Empathy Dilemma. Maria shares why empathy is a leadership superpower, how to set boundaries without guilt, and practical strategies to lead effectively without burning out.

Key Takeaways from This Episode
💡 What Empathy Really Is (And What It Isn’t) – Why leading with heart doesn’t mean being a pushover, and how true empathy actually strengthens your leadership.

⚖️ The 5 Pillars of Empathetic Leadership – Discover the five essential traits that help you balance performance, people, and personal boundaries.

🚫 The People-Pleasing Trap for Female Leaders – How women are socialised to “be nice” at the expense of boundaries—and how to stop it without losing your impact.

🎯 Practical Ways to Strengthen Your Empathy Muscle – Simple daily habits that will help you connect, communicate, and lead with confidence.

🔥 Why Empathy is a Strength, Not a Weakness – How to use empathy as a strategic advantage to drive performance, retain talent, and create a thriving culture.

👥 Know a female leader who needs this? Share this episode with her!

Links in this Episode:

Red Slice Website

The Empathy Dilemma Book

Maria Ross on Instagram

Maria Ross on Linked In

Tedx Talk

Click here to read the transcript