Marline C. Duroseau is well-known when it comes to empowering women, leadership and infertility support. She is the founder of MCD Business Enterprise LLC, where Women Matter is a company dedicated to all things women for ultimate personal development! Marline is a speaker and the author of 3 books, including It'll Happen By 30, published in 2021.
As a CFO and business leader who has also navigated deeply personal challenges like infertility, I’ve come to understand the importance of empathy in leadership. Balancing high-stakes decision-making with compassion wasn’t always easy, but it made a tremendous difference in fostering trust and collaboration. Empathy allowed me to lead authentically while building stronger relationships within my teams, even during times of personal and organizational crisis, such as infertility and the COVID-19 pandemic.
6 strategies to lead with empathy
1. Listen actively and intentionally
Show your team members you value their input by listening without interrupting. Take time to understand their concerns before offering solutions. This builds trust and opens doors to honest communication.
Reference: Research in Harvard Business Review shows that active listening strengthens team relationships and enhances workplace morale.
2. Communicate with transparency
Empathy thrives when leaders are honest and approachable. Share challenges and successes openly, whether related to organizational goals or personal experiences. Authentic communication fosters connection and mutual respect.
3. Understand diverse perspectives
Recognize that everyone brings unique experiences to the table. As a Haitian-American woman and leader, I’ve seen how embracing diversity of thought strengthens teams and enriches decision-making.
4. Support employee well-being
Empathetic leaders prioritize their team’s mental health and work-life balance. Offer flexibility where possible and encourage self-care. For example, when my team faced tight deadlines, I implemented wellness initiatives to reduce stress.
5. Model vulnerability as strength
Share your own struggles when appropriate to create a safe environment. Vulnerability doesn’t weaken leadership; it humanizes it. When I shared parts of my infertility journey, I noticed an increase in trust and connection with my colleagues.
6. Lead by example
Empathy is shown through actions, not just words. Whether offering mentorship or standing up for your team during tough situations, being a consistent source of support inspires others to do the same.
Conclusion
Empathy transforms leadership and creates stronger, more effective teams. If you’re ready to refine your leadership skills and learn how to lead with compassion, let’s connect. Through coaching, I can help you elevate your leadership style to new heights.
Read more from Marline C. Duroseau
Marline C. Duroseau, Author, Speaker, Financial and Leadership Executive
Marline C. Duroseau is a thought leader in the infertility support realm, executive leadership, and women's empowerment and confidence building. As a child born in Miami, FL, to Haitian immigrants, Marline created a path to her success by focusing on garnering an extensive educational background that catapulted her to dramatically enhance her financial and leadership performance during her 22-year career. After also enduring and overcoming a 15-year infertility journey, she has since dedicated her life to helping people on their family-building journey and helping women unleash their inherent power and confidence. She is the Founder of MCD Business Enterprise, LLC (MCDBE), the premiere company for women, with the slogan: Women Matter!
