Flourish: Leading with Empathy - How to Work with Jerks in Healthcare IT with Eric Williamson

November 18, 2025: Ever wonder why empathy gets dismissed as a "soft skill" when it's actually your most powerful leadership tool? Eric Williamson went from being what he calls an expert jerk to becoming a jerk expert, and his transformation story will change how you think about workplace dynamics. From invisible disengagement in hybrid teams to managing star performers who steamroll everyone, Eric shares practical wisdom on navigating today's most challenging leadership scenarios. Discover his three-step AAA method for staying measured under pressure, learn why your one-on-ones might be completely missing the mark, and find out how to hold people accountable without losing your humanity. This conversation is packed with real talk about creating connections in environments where face-to-face interaction is increasingly rare.

Key Points:

• 01:25 Eric's Transformation Journey
• 02:28 The Importance of Empathy in the Workplace
• 04:21 Recognizing Jerk Behavior
• 07:35 Interview Tips to Identify Toxic Cultures
• 10:01 The AAA Method: Assess, Analyze, Act
• 16:19 Empathy in Hybrid Work Environments
• 23:46 Building Remote Culture
• 27:49 Speed Round: Funniest Jerk Stories
• 29:41 Practical Steps to Show Up Better at Work
• 33:44 Empathy as a Powerful Tool

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