The Power of Empathic Leadership with Sinéad Rafferty
Or listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Wherever You Pod
What if sensitivity wasn’t just a personal trait, but a leadership asset? In this episode, we challenge the idea that good leadership has to look loud, tough or fast-paced, and explore how empathy, depth and emotional awareness can create truly transformational leadership.
I’m joined by Sinéad Rafferty, an experienced career and leadership coach, educator, and advocate for highly sensitive people and empaths. Sinéad helps HSPs build careers that are aligned, meaningful and sustainable, and is passionate about redefining leadership to be more inclusive of diverse ways of being.
We’re talking about:
How sensitivity can become your greatest leadership strength
The subtle (and powerful) traits of empathic leadership
The role of boundaries in sustainable leadership
How to approach labels with curiosity, not constraint
Practical ways to lead with empathy—whether you’re highly sensitive or not
If you’ve ever felt like leading means leaving parts of yourself at the door, this conversation is for you.
Resources from this episode
About your host
Hi, I’m Teresa—career coach, ex-corporate insider, and proud sensitive professional.
After 20+ years in high-pressure roles—often as the only woman in the room, quietly absorbing everything while others talked over each other—I know what it’s like to feel out of place in environments that prize boldness over nuance and speed over substance.
But here’s what I discovered: sensitivity wasn’t a weakness—it was my greatest advantage.
Now, I help ambitious, sensitive professionals like you turn struggles into strengths and build careers that feel as good as they look—without burnout, bravado, or trying to be someone you’re not.
© Practical Feeling. Everything shared here is for information and reflection – not professional advice. Please use your judgement before taking action based on anything you hear. Practical Feeling accepts no responsibility for any decisions made in connection with the content.
