#0411 – How Great Leaders Turn Empathy into Power with Jess Baker

How Great Leaders Turn Empathy Empathy is praised in leadership—and often quietly punished. In this episode, Jon Rennie is joined by Jess Baker, chartered business psychologist and author of The Super Helper Syndrome, to explore how great leaders turn empathy into real power without being overlooked or burned out. Jess explains why highly empathic professionals are often passed over for leadership roles, even though they’re holding teams together behind the scenes. She shows how empathy, when used intentionally, becomes a strategic leadership advantage rather than a career liability. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why empathic leaders get overlooked The difference between empathy, compassion, and effective leadership How to set boundaries without losing your values How empathy can amplify results, energy, and momentum What to do when empathy has helped your career—up to a point Jess also shares practical tools, including leadership dials and the concept of empathic flow, to help leaders protect their energy while leading with confidence. 📘 About Jess Baker Jess Baker is a chartered business psychologist with 20+ years of experience advising leaders and global organizations. She is the creator of the Empathy Powered Method and the award-winning author of The Super Helper Syndrome. 📌 Links to Jess’s resources: Website - https://jessbaker.co.uk/ Free Quiz - https://jess-baker.involve.me/helper-quiz Free Workbook - https://jessbakerconsulting.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1147375 Book -https://amzn.to/3YyhdEs If you believe leadership is a people business, this episode is for you.

Episode 411 of the Deep Leadership podcast, hosted by Jon S. Rennie, titled "#0411 – How Great Leaders Turn Empathy into Power with Jess Baker" was published on January 10, 2026 and runs 41 minutes.

January 10, 2026 ·41m · Deep Leadership

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Summary

How Great Leaders Turn Empathy into Power Empathy is praised in leadership—and often quietly punished. In this episode, Jon Rennie is joined by Jess Baker, chartered business psychologist and author of The Super Helper Syndrome, to explore how great leaders turn empathy into real power without being overlooked or burned out. Jess explains why highly empathic professionals are often passed over for leadership roles, even though they’re holding teams together behind the scenes. She shows how empathy, when used intentionally, becomes a strategic leadership advantage rather than a career liability. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why empathic leaders get overlooked The difference between empathy, compassion, and effective leadership How to set boundaries without losing your values How empathy can amplify results, energy, and momentum What to do when empathy has helped your career—up to a point Jess also shares practical tools, including leadership dials and the concept of empathic flow, to help leaders protect their energy while leading with confidence. 📘 About Jess BakerJess Baker is a chartered business psychologist with 20+ years of experience advising leaders and global organizations. She is the creator of the Empathy Powered Method and the award-winning author of The Super Helper Syndrome. 📌 Links to Jess’s resources: Website - https://jessbaker.co.uk/ Free Quiz - https://jess-baker.involve.me/helper-quiz Free Workbook - https://jessbakerconsulting.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1147375 Book -https://amzn.to/3YyhdEs If you believe leadership is a people business, this episode is for you. Sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cadre of Men⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Farrow Skin Care⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Salty Sailor Coffee Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leader Connect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Qualified Leadership Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices