The Role of Empathy in Leadership with Liesel Mindrebo Mertes
Empathy in Leadership: Why It’s More Than a Soft Skill
📊 92% of employees say empathy is undervalued in the workplace, yet 76% believe it directly impacts productivity. (Source: Businessolver)
According to the APA, over 59% of workers report negative effects from work-related stress.
Clearly, leaders are missing a critical ingredient.
Join us for this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast with Liesel Mindrebo Mertes , founder of Handle with Care, as we explore how empathy can, and must become central to leadership.
🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach & Mike Liwski
In this conversation, we’ll cover:
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How to lead with empathy in moments of disruption and grief
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Practical systems that embed care into company culture
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The link between purpose-driven leadership and employee loyalty
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Why empathy isn’t a liability—it’s your next strategic advantage
Whether you’re an executive, team lead, or HR professional, this episode will challenge how you think about emotional wellness at work.
💬 What’s one way your company shows real care for employees—not just perks, but presence?
Liesel Mertes
Founder of Handle With Care
Liesel Mertes is an acclaimed workplace empathy expert. After experiencing her own loss, Liesel emerged with a deep understanding of what employees need to feel supported at work after a disruptive life event. As the Founder of Handle With Care, Liesel works with groups who want to boost employee satisfaction as well as attract and retain better talent.
Liesel engages with organizations around the globe, where her programs have been utilized by tech companies, government agencies and RV manufacturers (just to name a few). Her favorite clients are those who understand and know the value of supporting their employees with empathy and compassion.
Liesel’s expertise is broad – death and loss, diagnosis, relationship changes and life’s inevitable curveballs – and no disruption is considered less significant. On these topics, Liesel is a dedicated speaker, writer, workplace consultant and host of the Handle With Care podcast.
A calming presence in stressful situations, Liesel provides tools for organizations to help their employees survive, stabilize and thrive in the aftermath of adversity.
