{"id":5091,"date":"2025-10-30T08:25:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T07:25:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/?p=5091"},"modified":"2025-10-30T08:25:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T07:25:50","slug":"the-power-of-empathy-a-lesson-in-leadership-from-ieses-communication-course","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/the-power-of-empathy-a-lesson-in-leadership-from-ieses-communication-course\/","title":{"rendered":"The Power of Empathy \u2014 A Lesson in Leadership from IESE\u2019s Communication Course"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I stood on stage in front of 450 people at IESE\u2019s Aula Magna, delivering my Ethos speech titled \u201cThe Power of Empathy,\u201d<\/em> I didn\u2019t just share a story\u2014I shared a part of my life. The speech was about my son, who lives with ADHD, and the lessons I learned about empathy, patience, and understanding. It was deeply personal, but also a universal message: a reminder that true leadership begins with compassion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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I spent many hours practicing for my speech as I had never spoken in front of such a large audience before.<\/p><\/div>\n

Our one-week intensive Communication course pushed us far beyond our comfort zones. <\/strong>Each day, we practiced and delivered different types of speeches\u2014Logos, Problem-Solution, Storytelling, Ethos, and Pathos. The goal wasn\u2019t simply to speak well, but to learn how to connect<\/em>\u2014to move an audience not just through logic, but through authenticity and emotion.<\/strong> By the end of the week, professors and external coaches selected 10 students out of 421 to present on the Aula Magna stage. I was humbled to be one of them, and even more honored to be named Best Ethos Speaker of the course.<\/p>\n

When preparing my speech, I knew I wanted to speak about something real\u2014something that mattered deeply to me. For years, I had never shared with others about my son\u2019s learning disability. At first, I hesitated\u2014wondering whether I should speak about it publicly in front of people. Opening up about such a personal story takes courage and vulnerability, and I wasn\u2019t sure if I was ready.<\/p>\n

But the more I reflected, the more I realized that this story perfectly embodied the essence of Ethos<\/em>: credibility that comes not from achievements, but from authenticity and courage. I believed that by sharing what I had learned from this experience, I could move others to reflect on empathy and how we support people around us.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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It was an intense but fun week working on our speeches during the Communications Course.<\/p><\/div>\n

I had never given a speech in front of a large audience before\u2014let alone 450 people.<\/strong> So, I spent countless hours practicing and refining my delivery, revisiting the emotions of those moments. There were times during rehearsal when I couldn\u2019t hold back tears, and I even worried whether I could stay composed on stage. Some speakers move across the stage to engage the audience\u2014but my story was deeply personal and serious. So I chose to stand still, letting the emotion flow through my voice rather than my movement. My main message was, \u201cWhen you see someone struggling, don\u2019t put a label on them. Support them. Because, with empathy and patience, we can help people unlock their true potential.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

After the speech, many classmates and faculty members came to tell me how much the story resonated with them. Some even shared their own experiences with neurodiversity or parenting. That moment showed me something powerful\u2014that vulnerability, when shared openly, can transform into strength and gravitas.
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This experience became a defining moment in my MBA journey. It reminded me that leadership is not only about making rational decisions, but also about understanding people\u2014their struggles, their potential, and their humanity.<\/strong> As I continue at IESE, I hope to keep practicing the art of storytelling and empathy, becoming a leader who not only decides but also inspires and empowers others.<\/p>\n

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It was very rewarding to see that many of my classmates resonated with my story.<\/p><\/div>\n

Watch Ryoji’s speech here – Full video (including introduction and classmates\u2019 reflections): <\/strong><\/em>https:\/\/youtu.be\/zcTvdUGyKnQ<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Written by Ryoji Yoshino, MBA Class of 2027
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