“One pivotal moment in my career was leading a high-stakes change management project that affected a large number of employees,” reflects Iphigenia von Moock-Tsipas, Senior Advisor and Strategy Consultant. “The challenge was immense—tight deadlines and a relentless focus on the bottom line dominated discussions. Yet, I quickly realized that without prioritizing a human-centric approach, the project was destined to fail.”
As a senior leader navigating a predominantly male C-suite, Iphigenia faced the additional challenge of convincing key stakeholders that empathetic communication and considering the human impact of decisions were not only ethical but also critical for long-term success. “I made the case that addressing employees’ concerns and fostering trust weren’t just ‘soft skills’—they were strategic levers for driving faster and more sustainable outcomes,” she shares.
In a space where hard metrics often ruled, Iphigenia used empathy as a strategic tool. By creating urgency through “what-if” scenarios—demonstrating the potential risks of neglecting employee concerns—she successfully aligned the team, reduced resistance to change, and ensured the project met its objectives.
“This experience reinforced how qualities like empathy and emotional intelligence, often associated with female leadership, can be decisive in overcoming resistance and driving complex initiatives to success,” Iphigenia notes.
Through Iphigenia’s insights, this article will explore how you, too, can become the empathetic leader you’ve always aspired to have.
embrace moments of uncertainty
Senior leaders often face the expectation to have all the answers, yet true leadership, particularly during change, requires a willingness to navigate ambiguity with empathy and adaptability.
Iphigenia highlights the value of embracing the unknown and acknowledging the limits of your own perspective, which in turn fosters trust and inclusivity.
By remaining non-judgmental and deeply attentive, you are creating a culture of psychological safety within your team, empowering employees to share their ideas and concerns openly. This approach has been pivotal for Iphigenia during periods of organizational transformation, enabling her to guide teams through uncertainty while fostering resilience, collaboration, and innovation.
listening as a catalyst for excellence
Active listening isn’t just about hearing words; it’s about fully engaging with the speaker, understanding their perspective, and making them feel valued. For leaders like Iphigenia, listening actively is a strategic imperative that drives operational excellence and fosters innovation.
This practice involves more than avoiding interruptions or maintaining eye contact. It requires leaders to create space for dialogue, especially for the most unheard voices in the room—those who often hold untapped insights that can transform processes. By reflecting on what others share, leaders validate their contributions, build trust, and uncover opportunities for improvement.
As a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Iphigenia connects this approach to Lean Six Sigma principles, where understanding the voice of the customer (VOC) and the voice of the employee (VOE) are critical to eliminating waste and enhancing processes. Drawing parallels to the Japanese concept of kaizen—continuous improvement—she emphasizes that active listening is foundational to identifying inefficiencies, reducing resistance to change, and empowering teams to co-create solutions.
avoid “one-size-fits-all” answers
In a diverse team, each person brings unique strengths, backgrounds, and experiences. What works for one employee might not work for another.
As an empathetic leader, strive to tailor your approach based on each individual’s needs and circumstances. This doesn’t mean compromising on fairness; rather, it shows respect for their individuality. Whether it’s offering flexible working hours, personalized feedback, or specific resources, customizing support is a powerful way to demonstrate genuine care.
commit to being empathetic
Empathy should not be something you only practice when convenient; it needs to be a consistent part of your leadership approach.
This means scheduling regular check-ins with your team, creating spaces where people feel free to express themselves, and taking time to understand their personal and professional aspirations.
When you make empathy a priority, it shapes a workplace culture where open communication and mutual support become the norm, fostering stronger relationships and higher levels of trust.
don’t just listen: act with purpose
Listening is important, but action is what truly drives change.
Often, when things aren’t going well in an organization, it’s not because of the employees, but because of inefficient processes or poor leadership alignment.
The key is identifying and fixing these problems. When an employee expresses feeling overwhelmed, it’s essential to look at the bigger picture—adjusting workloads, improving team structures, or providing the right resources.
By taking action based on feedback, leaders show they care about their team and are committed to improvement. When your actions match your words, you build trust, reduce inefficiencies, and inspire loyalty, creating a culture of growth and success.
creating strong alliances for innovative leadership
For Iphigenia, great leadership isn’t just about practicing empathy; it’s about advocating for it in every situation.
“In a key meeting, I proposed a strategy I believed was crucial to the project’s success. Despite presenting solid data, my ideas weren’t immediately accepted,” she reflects. Rather than seeing this as a setback, Iphigenia chose to persist, using strategic communication to advocate for her vision and encourage a more open, innovative mindset within the team.
“I remained confident and focused on building support for my ideas through strong alliances with supportive colleagues,” she shares. “Ultimately, my goal was to create an environment where everyone’s contributions were valued and innovation could thrive.”
Iphigenia’s approach highlights that leadership is about fostering collaboration and empowering others to realize their potential, creating a positive, forward-thinking culture for everyone.
building a culture for lasting impact
Building a culture where people feel genuinely valued, supported, and inspired lays the groundwork for trust, collaboration, and resilient performance. By showing genuine care in your leadership style, you create an environment where challenges are tackled together, achievements are celebrated collectively, and everyone has room to grow. Ultimately, the legacy you leave is defined not just by what you achieve but by how you elevate others and help them become the best version of themselves.
about Iphigenia
Iphigenia is a Global C-Suite Advisor and Executive Leader with over 25 years of experience driving strategy, digital transformation, and innovation across UAE and Saudi Arabia. She has held multiple strategic roles spanning corporate strategy, marketing, organizational development, and market entry strategy, working across sectors including technology, financial services, and insurance.
Iphigenia has advised a diverse portfolio of organizations—from Fortune 500 companies and regional conglomerates to family offices, SMEs, and startups. She specializes in guiding organizations through complex transformations, combining deep technology insights with human-centric leadership to foster sustainable impact.
Her focus lies in empowering women in tech leadership and advancing cultural change within organizations. Iphigenia has led initiatives supporting UAE and Saudi Vision 2030, breaking the glass ceiling for women in technology, and establishing robust mentorship programs to develop future leaders.
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