Now might be the time to stop talking about empathy as a nice-to-have

The Spinoff Daily, Thursday February 2

Feb 2

Ahiahi mārie, welcome to The Spinoff Daily.

Today on The Spinoff, Auckland’s urgent need for sustainable transport and why it doesn’t look particularly promising, a end in sight for Australian ‘501’ deportations and why a gay All Black is a big deal.

But first, Anna Rawhiti-Connell writes that empathetic leadership is not some magical superpower – it’s a necessary skill in a time of crisis.

“It’s more ironic than rain on your wedding day that we’re having to contemplate the qualities of good leadership two weeks after the formal resignation of Jacinda Ardern.

In assessments of the former prime minister’s leadership, her ability to lead during a crisis shines through. So does the word empathy. Aucklanders are now contemplating whether they have a deficit of empathy in the leadership of their city. As record-breaking rainfall caused floodwaters to rapidly rise, Auckland mayor Wayne Brown’s performance last Friday has been roundly criticised. In the eyes of many, his inability to communicate in a timely and empathetic manner was his cardinal sin.”

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