How empathic concern helps leaders in providing negative feedback: A two‐study examination

Abstract

The role of leader empathic concern is examined in the context of negative feedback delivery. We argue that leader displays of empathic concern decrease negative affect and increase positive affect following negative feedback, resulting in more positive evaluations of the leader's feedback‐giving effectiveness and improving the leader's promotability. In a video‐based online experiment (Study 1) using a US sample (n = 177), both conditions experienced a decline in negative affect over the course of the feedback episode; however, participants exposed to leader empathic concern experienced a significantly greater increase in positive affect and evaluated the leader's behaviour as more effective than those in the control condition. In a field‐study (Study 2) using archived multisource data on a sample of organizational leaders (n = 306), the positive relationship between leader negative feedback quality (subordinate‐rated) and (boss‐rated) promotability was strengthened by subordinate perceptions of leader empathic concern.Practitioner points Leaders should show empathic concern when delivering feedback to subordinates. Leaders should be trained in how to recognize subordinates’ emotional reactions and to communicate their understanding and concern for subordinates’ well‐being during the provision of performance feedback. Organizations should reward leaders who demonstrate empathic concern for their subordinates when providing feedback. Leaders should be educated about the career‐related benefits associated with demonstrating high‐quality negative feedback and empathic concern.