The Leadership Balancing Act: Urgency + Empathy

One of the most common questions I get asked by leaders is this: “How do I push for results without burning people out?” It’s the leadership tightrope of our time, balancing urgency with empathy.

On one hand, the pressures are real. Shareholders, boards, and customers expect results faster than ever. Competition is fierce, AI is accelerating change, and hybrid work means leaders have to deliver outcomes across multiple contexts at once. Urgency is non-negotiable.

On the other hand, employees are tired. Burnout is rising, attrition is high, and the psychological contract between organisations and people has shifted. Employees aren’t willing to trade wellbeing for endless deadlines anymore. Empathy is non-negotiable too.

So what happens when both urgency and empathy are required at the same time? That’s the new frontier of leadership.

Why Leaders Default to One Side

Some leaders lean too heavily into urgency. They drive outcomes relentlessly, but at the cost of people’s energy and trust. Results might come in the short term, but long-term sustainability suffers. Others lean too far into empathy, creating safe, supportive environments that feel good, but where accountability and performance quietly slip away.

Neither extreme works. The real power is in the tension between the two.

The New Leadership Equation

Leaders who thrive in 2025 will master the ability to drive urgency with empathy. What does this look like?

• Clear Priorities. Urgency without focus is just chaos. Great leaders cut through noise and set clear, achievable priorities.

• Human-centred Pressure. High standards are fine, but so is acknowledging workloads, giving people recovery time, and modelling balance yourself.

• Transparent Communication. People can handle pressure if they understand the why. Share context, not just deadlines.

• Visible Care. Empathy isn’t soft, it’s checking in, listening, and adjusting when people are close to breaking.

A Story of Balance

I worked with a senior executive team who were rolling out a major transformation program. At first, their approach was urgency-only: strict deadlines, aggressive KPIs, no space for questions. Staff were exhausted and morale plummeted.

When we reframed urgency through the lens of empathy, everything changed. Leaders still pushed hard for outcomes, but they added regular check-ins, communicated openly about challenges, and celebrated milestones along the way. The result? Delivery didn’t slow down, it sped up, because people felt supported, not steamrolled.

Final Thought

Urgency gets results. Empathy builds resilience. But it’s only when leaders combine them that organisations truly thrive.

So here’s my challenge to you: the next time you’re under pressure, ask yourself, “How can I drive urgency in a way that honours empathy?” Because in 2025, leadership isn’t about choosing one or the other. It’s about mastering both.

Here’s to leading with both speed and soul,

Ally

If you would like to book in a time to speak with Ally: CLICK HERE.

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Ally Nitschke is a best-selling Author, an award-winning Thought Leader and Speaker. She has been working with leaders and as a Leader for over 20 years.

She is on a mission to change the way we communicate at work, to lean into those uncomfortable conversations and lead with courage.

Ally is a Keynote Speaker at conferences, delivers Transformational Programs & highly engaging workshops as well as provides Executive Coaching.