Welcome to Episode 7 of The Rise Room! Today, we’re stepping into a conversation every leader, and honestly, every human, needs to hear: how empathy shapes mental health in the workplace.

We’re talking about why empathetic leadership isn’t soft or optional anymore… it’s essential. Because when people feel seen, supported, and safe, everything changes, stress levels drop, creativity rises, and teams become healthier and more resilient.
If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with both strength and humanity, this episode is your blueprint.

Episode Highlights

How empathetic leaders dramatically reduce burnout, stress, and emotional overload in their teams.

What psychological safety actually looks like in day-to-day leadership.

The subtle signs someone on your team may be struggling, and what to do before they hit burnout.

Here are scholarly sources you can reference for the research on empathy and mental health discussed in this episode:

Mayer, J. D., & Salovey, P. (1997). What is emotional intelligence? In P. Salovey & D. Sluyter (Eds.), Emotional development and emotional intelligence. Basic Books.

Muss, C., Tüxen, D., & Fürstenau, B. (2025). Empathy in leadership: A systematic literature review on the effects of empathetic leaders in organizations. Management Review Quarterly.

Gentry, W. (2025). Empathy in the Workplace: A Tool for Effective Leadership. Center for Creative Leadership.

World Health Organization (2022). Mental health in the workplace.