Top CEO Coach On The Difficulty of Empathizing Up

Top CEO Coach On The Difficulty of Empathizing Up

From Best Manager Ever by Annie Riley

May 6, 2026 · 50 min · Season 4 · Episode 8

About this episode

Annie Riley and Ed Batista discuss the challenges of empathizing with superiors and the importance of positive feedback in leadership.

Leadership is lonely. Most leaders don’t get enough support or positive feedback. And that includes our own boss too. Annie Riley and top executive coach Ed Batista break down why it’s so hard to empathize up— and how simple shifts like checking in or offering genuine positive feedback can change the dynamic, because sometimes the most powerful move is truly seeing the person behind the role. Time Stamps: 00:00 Meet Ed Batista 02:36 Why empathizing up is so hard 03:48 The myth of the “invulnerable” leader 05:11 How to actually start empathizing up 06:45 Why your boss isn’t getting enough positive feedback 08:39 Empathizing up vs. managing up 09:56 Empathy does not mean agreement 12:03 What to do when your boss shuts you down 16:34 It’s probably not about you 20:07 Intent vs. impact  24:50 Leaders as shock absorbers 31:49 Pain is mandatory. Suffering is optional. 33:50 The danger of overvaluing feelings at work 39:07 Is the story you’re telling serving you? 41:52 Leadership is intuition, not a formula Join us on Substack  Level up your leadership skills with Fort Light  Connect with Annie Riley Connect with Ed Batista Nominate Your Best Manager Ever Best Manager…

People in this episode

Host: Annie Riley

Guest: Ed Batista

Topics covered

  • leadership
  • empathy
  • management
  • feedback
  • executive coaching

Keywords

  • empathy
  • leadership
  • management
  • feedback
  • executive coaching
  • empathizing up
  • vulnerable leader

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