top of page
EF Facebook cover.jpg

Learn the ART of Empathy.
Attract, Retain and Thrive.

Welcome to Empathy First by Leanne Butterworth. I motivate and empower impact-driven leaders, teams and communities to embrace healthy empathy to enhance employee engagement, retention, customer service and culture through transformative keynote speeches and empathy education programs.

​

We make Healthy Empathy accessible and fun.

​

Skyskape buildings

The days of profit-at-all-costs is over.  

And I understand, it is the mindset that has traditionally been associated with business success.  

But that time is over.  

The Great Burnout is here.

In Australia 67% of the workforce are QUIET QUITTING*.

Empathetic leaders and organisations will be the ones who survive.  In a recent poll, 82% of staff said they would consider leaving their job for a more empathetic organisation.  

The time for empathetic leadership is now**. 

 

Can you afford the alternative?

*Gallup, 2023. **Businessolver , 2019

Empathetic leadership is more than a nice to have,

it's a business imperative. â€‹

Through inspiring keynotes, in-house consulting, interactive workshops, online training and personal coaching, I help leaders and future leaders develop their empathetic communication skills and the emotional architecture required to build rapport with their teams. 
 

By providing leaders and future leaders with targeted Empathic Communication Training using my signature WISER framework, organisations can prioritise effective communication and feedback, an open-minded approach to improving organisational culture and genuine, attentive working relationships.

The result? Happy, healthy, sustainable workplaces.

​

Taking the empathetic approach has never been easier, or more accessible.

Engaging, memorable content

​

Our unique WISER framework for Empathy Training is personally relevant and inspires attendees to reflect on how effectively they made others feel heard, valued and visible.

Learn anywhere

​

Engage Empathy First at your workplace for a memorable keynote, group workshop or take an online course.

Delivering Positive Results​

​

Simple, easy-to-implement practical skills and insights will improve your personal and professional relationships.

The Importance of Empathy in the Workplace

A lack of Compassionate Empathy in the workplace can look like:

  • High staff turnover 

  • Disengaged or burnt-out employees

  • Non-consultative decision making that doesn’t consider how it impacts employees

  • Disjointed or stiff interactions amongst employees

  • Friction or low engagement in meetings and group exercises.  

 

Empathy Training helps you to make others feel heard, valued and visible, whilst setting personal boundaries that prioritise your own mental health and wellbeing.

​

At Empathy First, I teach you WHAT empathy really is, WHY it matters to you personally and professionally and HOW to empathetically communicate  in a healthy and safe way.

​

​

Healthy Empathy speaking and workshops with Leanne Butterworth

Leanne Butterworth wearing shirt saying You Got this

Hello! I'm Leanne Butterworth, TEDx Speaker, Empathy Educator, Social Enterprise Business lecturer with the Queensland University of Technology and a huge proponent of empathetic leadership being the most effective, sustainable pathway to personal and professional success. 

 

Research tell us empathetic leadership is the foundation of a successful organisation and by practicing empathy on a daily basis, we can foster healthier relationships and extend the profitability of our businesses.

​

However, very few of us have been taught what healthy empathy really is and why it matters, let alone how to empathetically communicate in a way that is safe and doesn't burn us out.​ Empathic Education must go beyond meaningless checklists and listless “action plans”.

 

Empathy training is about bridging the gap between how we, as leaders and future leaders, understand and demonstrate empathy and how these everyday interactions are perceived by our colleagues, clients, family and friends.

 

It is about cultivating and honing the forgotten skills in leadership and managerial toolkits to build a healthier, happier workforce, resulting in a more profitable, sustainable company culture.

​

Contact me today and let's talk about how you can put Empathy First.

 

Resources
Designer at Work

What actually is Empathy Training?

My unique WISER approach to Empathy Training has been deliberately crafted to demonstrate how to build authentic connections with your colleagues, clients, family and friends. Regardless of your industry or mode of delivery, I help to transform your workplace to be happier, healthier and more successful.  Learn more

WHAT

Empathy First Clients - An Impactful Change

Through inspiring keynotes, in-house consulting, interactive workshops, online training and personal coaching, I help leaders and future leaders develop their empathetic communication skills and the emotional architecture required to build rapport with their teams. My clients leave feeling empowered and assured to implement small changes that will make an immense personal and professional impact. The absorbing modules allow attendees to easily learn WHAT Empathy is, WHY it matters and HOW to communicate empathetically.

Who we've worked with

Logos of multiple Empathy First clients

The change...

  • "I am a better listener when people are talking about their mental health and have been able to comfortably ask them if and how I can help them".

​

  • "A student said she was having very concerning self-harm and suicidal thoughts.  She said I made her feel like she wasn't alone after speaking with her".

​

  • "I have not been afraid to approach the subject. I know not to say I am sorry that has happened to you, but to let them know that some things he/she has experienced would make anyone struggle and that struggling is a normal experience and there is help". 

​

final cover Women Making a Difference_ed

New Anthology!!

New in 2024, Leanne was a contributing author in the new anthology Women Making a Difference. 

​

"Women Making a Difference" highlights heart-centered leadership and its positive societal impact, offering diverse perspectives and experiences from women who have created change in various fields. This book aims to inspire and empower others to make a difference through their work, providing inspirational stories, practical advice, insights, and tools for success.

 

Buy your signed copy from Leanne now. 

What our students say

Empathy and leadership worksheet.jpg

Free Resources

Check out our free resources designed to help you on your empathy journey.

Podcasts, quizzes, online training and PDF downloads.

People Planet Certified

Queensland Social Enterprise Council - Member

SocialTraders_CertificationLogo

Social Traders Certified

Female Owned Certified

Certified Female Owned

Local Buy Pre Qualified Supplier

LocalBuy Prequalified Supplier LB327 

Professional Member 2024 PSA

Professional Speakers Australia - Member

2023 Women Changing the World Awards Winner!
Women in Social Enterprise - People's Choice Award.

Social Enterprise finalisist
thought leader finalist
peoples choice social enterprise
social enterprise finalisist people's choice
wellness finalist

Our Empathy Training has been deliberately crafted to show you how to build connection with your colleagues, customers, clients, family and friends. Regardless of your industry, we can help you transform your workplace to be happy, healthy and successful.

​

It starts with you and it starts with Empathy First.

3 girls laughing Image by Priscilla Du Preez

Ready to get started?
Contact us.

Empathy First: Subscribe

Subscribe

Learn more about empathy by subscribing to our monthly newsletter:

The Empathy Edit.

Thanks for subscribing!

bottom of page