Brave face Quote by Heidi K. Gardner
““...executives are often insulated from the scale and variety of problems faced by junior employees. Even when senior leaders try to seek out information, most employees put on a brave face because they’re afraid to show weakness or vulnerability. Top leaders are further handicapped by their own psychology: Research shows that power reduces empathy, which means they identify less with both the frontline employees’ challenges and the middle managers who must deal with these issues daily.””
About This Quote
Source Article: Harvard Business Review, “The Empathy Gap in Leadership,” 2020
Leaders often lack awareness of frontline challenges because power diminishes empathy, leading to disconnect and ineffective decision‑making.
In simple terms: Power can blind leaders to workers’ real problems.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate empathy and seek honest feedback.
Themes
leadership
empathy
power
communication
organizational behavior
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
optimistic
Type
practical
inspirational
strategic
When to use this quote
- corporate meetings
- team briefings
- employee surveys
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
psychology of power
empathy deficit
information asymmetry
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders measure their empathy levels?
- What structures encourage honest employee voices?
A Different Perspective
Power dynamics are complex; empathy can be trained, not just innate.
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