Mary Barra

Empathy Anchors Leadership in Rapid Technological Change

Empathy also reshapes how change is designed. Rather than asking, “How do we deploy this tool?” leaders ask, “How will this affect the person doing the work at 3 p.m. on a stressful day?” That question leads naturally to more humane implementation: phased rollouts, clear support channels, job-relevant training, and time to experiment without penalty. As a result, technology becomes less like a mandate and more like a co-created improvement. When employees see their feedback reflected in the final workflow—simpler forms, fewer clicks, better handoffs—they feel respected, and the change gains legitimacy. [...]