Empathy, Purpose, and Resilience Are the New Leadership Playbook (Issue #16)
Leadership trends + time audits, leadership roundtables and getting ahead of cold season
Hey there,
If you’re like me, you’ve probably been reflecting on this past year - wins, challenges, lessons, and maybe even dreaming a little about what’s next.
But let’s face it: leadership is shifting fast. Keeping up with the demands of your role while planning for the future can feel like trying to catch a train that’s already moving.
Here’s the good news: the trends shaping leadership in 2025 are already taking form, and understanding them now means you’ll hit the ground running when January rolls around.
Let’s dive in.
📌Tip of the Week
Have you completed a time-audit?
Exactly as it sounds, a time audit is a quick health check-up for your calendar.
Here’s how to do it in just two days:
For two workdays, jot down how you’re spending your time. Use a notebook, a time-tracking app, or even your calendar. Be honest, include everything from meetings and emails to coffee breaks and quick Slack chats.
At the end of each day, review your notes and group tasks into categories like “Meetings,” “Deep Work,” “Admin,” “Breaks,” or “Distractions.”
Now it’s time to spot the patterns, ask yourself:
Where am I spending more time than expected?
Are there low-value tasks eating up my day?
When do I feel most productive or focused?
Start with small changes, look for easy wins to optimize your time. For example:
Limit unnecessary meetings or make them shorter.
Block focus time for deep work.
Schedule your most demanding tasks during your peak energy hours.
A time audit isn’t about overhauling your entire routine, it’s about small tweaks that lead to big gains in efficiency and balance.
The leadership trends you need to know for 2025
The leadership landscape isn’t just evolving… it’s transforming. The skills that got us through 2024 won’t necessarily carry us into 2025.
So, what’s coming, and how can you stay ahead?
Korn Ferry’s recent insights1 highlight five trends that every leader (yes, you!) should watch closely. Here’s what they mean and how to act on them:
1. Empathy Isn’t Optional Anymore
Gone are the days when leaders maintained a “professional distance.” Empathy is now a non-negotiable skill. Employees want leaders who listen and care about their wellbeing, not just their output.
What to Do: Schedule regular one-on-ones focused on the person, not just the projects. Start with questions like, “What’s been your biggest challenge this month?” or “What can I do to better support you?”
2. The Rise of Skill-Based Talent Models
Forget rigid job descriptions. The future of work is about tapping into people’s unique skills and building dynamic teams that adapt to what’s needed in the moment.
What to Do: Create a team skill map. Ask your team members about their untapped strengths or areas they’d like to grow into. This not only unlocks potential but shows you’re invested in their development. Bonus* Great time to do this is during review time focus on skill growth.
3. Purpose Will Drive Retention
Employees are staying where they feel connected to a deeper purpose. Companies that fail to link their mission to employees’ values will struggle to retain top talent.
What to Do: Don’t keep the company vision in a PowerPoint slide. Make it a living, breathing conversation. Start each meeting by tying goals to the bigger picture.
4. Data-Driven Decisions (with a Human Touch)
Leaders of 2025 won’t rely solely on instinct; they’ll combine data with emotional intelligence. But remember, data isn’t the whole story, context and empathy still matter.
What to Do: When making decisions, share the “why” with your team. Bring data into the conversation, but balance it with personal insights to keep it relatable.
5. Resilience Is the New Competitive Edge
Between economic shifts, hybrid work challenges, and uncertainty, resilience is becoming a core leadership skill. Leaders who bounce back and inspire their teams to do the same will thrive.
What to Do: Model resilience. Be transparent about how you navigate challenges, and encourage your team to see setbacks as opportunities to adapt and grow.
📰 Hello, AMA!
Q: “I have the opportunity to be a part of a 10 person roundtable next week to give feedback directly to leadership. Including anything about the company, my experience working there, team culture, etc. I am trying to make sure I have a potential solution for each piece of feedback I want to give but I also am worried about saying something that could be used against me.”
A: This is a great opportunity to represent your perspective and contribute to meaningful change. Being thoughtful about your feedback and prepared with solutions is already a strong approach.
Here’s how to ensure your input is constructive and well-received:
1. Prioritize 2-3 key points. You don’t have to cover everything, so choose feedback that aligns with company goals, team productivity, or overall culture.
2. Use examples or data to make your feedback actionable. For example, “We’ve missed deadlines because updates are inconsistent. A shared calendar could help.”
3. Start with appreciation before suggesting improvements:
4. Lastly, be mindful of your tone and read the room. Stick to “we” and “our” language to make it clear you’re advocating for the team, not just yourself.
You’ve got this! The fact that you’re thinking so carefully about this shows you’re committed to improvement, not criticism.
Got more questions? We’re here for you, send them over!
Wellness Corner
Stay ahead of cold season
Wellness isn’t just about avoiding the person sneezing next to you it’s also about giving your body and mind the care they need to thrive. Stay warm, stay active, and don’t forget to enjoy the season!
Six things to keep in mind:
Hydrate daily – Your immune system loves water.
Prioritize sleep – 7-8 hours helps you recharge.
Boost nutrition – Load up on citrus, greens, and nuts.
Wash hands often – Simple, but effective.
Stay active – Even light exercise supports immunity.
Consider Vitamin D – Check with your doctor.
Community Insights
We’re making moves…
balanced.boss was always intended to be more than just a newsletter.
A true interactive community of like-minded leaders looking for ways to balance work demands, build better teams and focus on their own health and wellness.
Starting in January we will be moving away from our current newsletter provider and heading over to Substack with a goal of building a community forum that allows for more questions, more resources and more interactions.
And dont worry- for those who are already subscribed you’ll automatically be a part of our continued discussion and the balanced.boss fam.
Until next time, stay well.
𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅.𝒃𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎