Leading with Curiosity and Empathy

Leading with Empathy and Curiosity: Human-Centered Design for a VUCA WorldKathleen Wisemandle discusses empathy as a core leadership skill and explains how human-centered design thinking—rooted in empathy and curiosity—can be applied beyond product development to process design, leadership, development conversations, and networking.She highlights IDEO and the Kelly brothers’ concept of “creative confidence,” the Stanford d.school mission, and the iterative design thinking cycle of empathizing, defining the problem, ideating, prototyping, and testing with users. In a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, curiosity helps leaders challenge assumptions and understand stakeholders’ needs, desires, and motivations, illustrated by her leadership during COVID in pharma. She shares a “seesaw” approach to connection from the “Think Fast, Talk Smart” podcast: Choose Connection Over Perfection —asking curious questions and actively listening.We end with your own personal mini coaching session with three takeaways and reflection questions to build trust, psychological safety, and stronger relationships.00:00 Design Thinking in Leadership: Leading with Empathy and Curiosity01:01 Welcome01:31 Human Centered Design Thinking03:38 Design Thinking06:55 Design Thinking in Leadership11:46 Three Takeaways:13:16 Reflection14:56 Closure15:35 Resources and CommunityThe Rooted Leader Podcast Substack Get full access to The Rooted Leader at aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe