
How can “Empathy: Why It Matters, And How To Get It” by Roman Krznaric boost project manager soft skills?
Roman Krznaric’s book is not aimed at project managers or those developing project manager soft skills. It has however a lot to offer those interested in developing and applying project management soft skills within their project management practice.
Krznaric’s work offers a compelling exploration of empathy’s profound significance in interpersonal relationships, organizational dynamics, and societal well-being.
Empathy is viewed by some as a gift. So for project managers who understand the power of well-developed soft skills and emotional intelligence, Krznaric’s insights provide are a welcome roadmap for cultivating empathy as a transformative leadership skill.
The multifaceted nature of empathy in project manager soft skills
One of the key strengths of the book lies in its exploration of the multifaceted nature of empathy and its far-reaching implications for effective leadership. And leadership is crucial for successful project management. In exploring the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural components of empathy, the author offers project managers a nuanced understanding of empathy’s role in fostering trust, collaboration, and innovation within project teams and within stakeholder groups.

Creating a culture of inclusion
Krznaric’s emphasis on the importance of empathy, in fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging, will resonate with project managers. Particularly those project managers committed to creating environments where every team member feels valued and understood.
By developing empathy as a core leadership competency, project managers can bridge cultural divides, mitigate conflicts. They can also harness the diverse perspectives of their project teams. This in turn can drive creative problem-solving and innovation.
Connecting authentically and empathetically with project manager soft skills
Moreover, Krznaric’s test is an exploration of empathy as a skill that can be cultivated and nurtured. This offers guidance for project managers seeking to enhance their empathetic capacities as part of their project management soft skills.
Through practical exercises, reflective practices, and real-world examples, Krznaric empowers readers to deepen their understanding of others’ experiences, perspectives, and emotions.
For project managers this will ultimately strengthen their ability to connect authentically and empathetically with their project team members and stakeholders.
Fostering trust, transparency and consensus
Furthermore, Krznaric’s discusses of empathy’s role in ethical decision-making and conflict resolution. This provides invaluable insights for project managers navigating complex interpersonal dynamics. By honing their empathetic listening skills project managers can understand the underlying needs and motivations of all stakeholders better. This in turn can foster trust, transparency, and consensus, even in the face of adversity. These are powerful resources within the context of project management. And Krznaric’s book is particularly valuable reading for those developing the use of the emotional bank account within their project management soft skills repertoire.
Broader societal challenges
There is much within the text for project manager’s wishing to deepen their understanding and mastery of the power of empathy. Krznaric also however explores the transformative potential of empathy in addressing broader societal challenges, from social inequality to environmental sustainability.
So for anyone, committed to driving positive change more widely, Krznaric’s vision of empathy as a catalyst for collective action, offers inspiration and guidance for leveraging empathy as a force for creating a more just and compassionate world.

Summary
This book is not written for a project management audience. So why should project managers read it? Because successful project managers must also be effective project leaders.
“Empathy: Why It Matters, And How To Get It” is an valuable for project managers. Particularly those seeking to enhance their leadership effectiveness and foster inclusive, collaborative, and resilient project teams.
Roman Krznaric’s thought-provoking exploration of empathy’s power and potential offers practical wisdom and actionable strategies for cultivating empathy as a cornerstone of effective leadership.
So whether leading a small project team or overseeing a large-scale initiative, project managers will find invaluable guidance in Krznaric’s insights.

Emotional Intelligence in Project Management: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
Why Project Manager Fairness matters: Insights from The Art of Fairness by David Bodanis
Project collaboration: Leveraging ‘Give and Take’ for Project Management Success
Distributed Authority in Project management: Insights from Holacracy by Brian J. Robertson
Ego Is the Enemy: The Power of Humility in Project Manager Development
Project team motivation: Helping project teams unlock best version of themselves.
You may have noticed we don’t run advertisements on our site. When you follow a link on our site and buy something, we recommend, we may get an affiliate commission. This never affects your price or what we pick to recommend.
0 Comments