“I hear you, and I understand where you’re coming from. It’s one thing to have all the knowledge and logical tools, but when emotions mix with logic in unpredictable and overwhelming ways, it can be hard to navigate. Sometimes, even though we know what to do, the emotional weight feels beyond what we can reason through.”
It was a déjà vu moment when I caught myself passing on the exact same wisdom to my client that I had once received from my mentor!
It’s funny how life comes full circle sometimes. One moment, you’re the one learning, and the next, you’re passing that very wisdom on to someone else.
Ever had those moments where your brain says, “You know what to do,” but your heart is over there like, “Yeah, well… I don’t feel like it”?
Welcome to the daily soap opera that is human emotion vs. logic—where even the best business strategies sometimes need to take a backseat to a little empathy.
And believe me, I’m no stranger to this soap opera either! I get it because I’m just as human. I’ve had my own struggles when logic and emotion decide to have a passionate duel!
When Logic Meets Emotion
I’ve worked with leaders who have the strategy, the vision, and all the right tools. But when emotions get involved—whether in their teams or even in their own decision-making—the playbook suddenly doesn’t have all the answers.
No amount of “just power through” advice helps. Why? Because when emotions and logic have their showdown, we don’t need more solutions; we need to be heard. We need someone to say, “I get it, this is tough.”
I had a client once who was pushing hard on a business strategy that made perfect sense logically. The numbers were there, the plan was solid. But their team was disengaged, morale was low, and the strategy wasn’t delivering the expected results. No amount of spreadsheets or timelines would fix the growing tension. What eventually helped? Sitting down with the team, listening to their concerns, and giving space to their emotions.
It’s in those moments—when you create space to be seen, heard, and understood—that transformation happens. Emotional conflict often needs that empathetic space to be processed, rather than just a quick fix or step-by-step plan.
Empathy as a Leadership Tool
So, how do I manage it?
I lean into empathy—both for myself and for others. I remind myself that when emotions rise, what’s needed isn’t another solution but the space to feel understood. And that’s something we all need to get better at offering.
Think about it. We know that ‘time is money’ and all that jazz, but here’s the plot twist: taking a few minutes to listen can actually save you more time (and stress) down the line.
Logic is great for the ‘what,’ but empathy? That’s the magic ingredient for the ‘how.’
It’s like standing in front of two doors: one labeled “logic” and the other “empathy.” The trick is knowing when to walk through each one. True leadership means balancing both—using your head and your heart at the right time. Yes, it’s a bit of a juggling act, but hey, that’s what makes leadership so dynamic!
The Big Question for Leaders
So, here’s the big question: Are you ready to stop treating emotions like an inconvenience and start seeing them as a guide?
Because the truth is, leadership isn’t just about executing strategy—it’s about understanding the human side of it. And when you master both logic and empathy, that’s where real progress happens.
“As I often remind myself—and my clients—sometimes it’s not about having all the answers; it’s about finding the space to be heard. The toughest battles are often fought between logic and emotion, and those are the ones that need empathy, not just solutions.”