When asked what traits constitute a good leader, you may be tempted to list traditional qualities such as rationality, cool-headedness, and overall, an ability to detach oneself from one's emotions. However, research has shown that the ability to feel empathy toward one's colleagues is in fact the most critical leadership skills, and much-overlooked. Empathy is on record for boosting employees' ability to innovate, engage with the task at hand, balance work and life demands, and not least, motivate them to stay within the company.
