Strengths On Fire | Does Empathy Belong in the C-Suite: with Pamela Nelson

Does Empathy Belong in the C-Suite: with Pamela Nelson

October 14, 2025 / 56:27/S2 E20

What happens when you bring heart into the highest levels of leadership? This week, Sarah and Bill welcome Pamela Nelson—Gallup-certified coach, counselor, podcaster, grandmother of six, and author of the Sticky Stories children’s book series—for a rich and heartfelt conversation about empathy in leadership.

From Star Trek metaphors to sticky mantras like “I made a mistake. I’m not a mistake. If I think I’m a mistake, I’m mistaken,” Pamela brings wisdom, warmth, and wit to the question: Does empathy belong in the C-suite?

Together, the trio explore why empathy is often undervalued at work (even though 92% of employees say it’s essential), how leaders can set boundaries around their emotional energy, and what it takes to balance head trust and heart trust. With stories from coaching, counseling, and corporate life, this episode will make you rethink what it means to lead with both strategy and compassion.

Main Takeaways

Empathy in leadership is powerful—but without boundaries, it can feel heavy and overwhelming.
Mature empathy means caring without carrying everything.
Head trust without heart trust feels cold; heart trust without head trust feels risky. Leaders need both.
Empathy is data about people—and people are every business’s bottom line.
Leaders who make space for honest dialogue build trust across silos and reduce toxicity.
Conflict resolution requires more than keeping peace—it requires being a peacemaker, not just a peacekeeper.
Empathy isn’t the only path to great leadership, but leaders who dismiss it risk losing both people and performance.

Sound Bites

“I care, but I don’t need to carry.”
“Empathy is data about people—and people drive the bottom line.”
“We can’t tame what we won’t name.”
“Head trust without heart trust feels cold. Heart trust without head trust feels risky.”
“Sometimes empathy is magnetic—people are drawn to leaders who truly see them.”
“With great power comes great responsibility—especially when your power is empathy.”
“Quieter voices speak up when they feel safe—and empathy creates that safety.”
“Every strength can work in the C-suite—what matters is maturity and dynamic partnerships.”

Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Individualization

2) Developer

3) Activator

4) Woo

5) Restorative

6) Empathy

7) Harmony

8) Connectedness

9) Relator

10) Learner

Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Positivity

2) Woo

3) Communication

4) Harmony

5) Activator

6) Developer

7) Input

8) Individualization

9) Responsibility

10) Arranger

Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm

Creators and Guests

Host

Bill Dippel

Bill Dippel is a certified, professional Strengths coach with a 35-year career in nonprofits and higher education. His passion is working with organizations, teams, and individuals to ensure they are performing and communicating at the highest levels. As president of Bill Dippel Strengths Coaching, he travels frequently for large events and public speaking, as well as working with whole companies through their management teams.

Host

Sarah Collins

Sarah Collins is a certified CliftonStrengths coach and founder of Collins Collective, with over 12 years of experience in strengths-based coaching and leadership development. Her passion lies in empowering businesses, teams, and individuals to communicate and perform at their best by focusing on what they do well. As the leader of Collins Collective, Sarah combines engaging workshops, high-impact keynotes, and in-depth coaching to foster growth and connection. Based in Nebraska, she partners with businesses to drive meaningful change and create high-performing teams.

Guest

Pamela Nelson

Pamela Nelson in a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Leadership Coach, Counselor, Author and Podcaster. She is CEO of Single Step Consulting.

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Creators and Guests

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