Benjamin R. Martin is an educator and completed his leadership program in July 2019. Ben is an incredibly exceptional creative soul. He is a higher education professional focusing on student achievement, with extensive experience in developmental writing, composition, tutoring, speech, historical literature, mythology and literary criticism.
What is Empathic Leadership?
“Empathic Leadership is a method of guidance focused on working with the thinking styles and emotions of those the leader wishes to lead. Someone using Empathic leadership will try to consider the needs of the different people around them, and the way they receive information best. Empathic Leadership values the people involved as well as the goals they wish to accomplish.”
What skills or competencies did you enhance through the coaching process?
“In my training I improved my networking ability and my self-confidence. I learned more about how to prioritize goals and steps towards larger goals. I improved my ability to connect with people who thought differently from the ways I do, and I learned how to accomplish my goals through building relationships.”
Share an example of a goal that you have realized as a result of coaching.
“On a purely practical level, through Michael’s help with interview preparation and organizational skill development, I got a better job. This important goal, however, was not my most significant achievement. Michael helped me see a strength in me that I had forgotten was there, and with his help, I learned how to make it an active tool to help me improve other aspects of my life as well.”
What do professionals need to start anticipating as the change needed to be a strong leader?
“I think today, professionals need to be more flexible than in years past. Becoming educated and training for one job for the rest of one’s life has become an obsolete plan. People are learning this and making plans that include more mobility and change. Leaders must be aware of this lack of stability and the perceived lack of stability and help their people to feel secure as well as free to grow in their positions. Leaders themselves should also expand their abilities to remain valuable and flexible.”
Describe Michael Sgro as a professional coach.
“Michael is one of the most emotionally courageous people I have ever met. He is exuberant and creative in his approach. He treats his clients with respect, friendship and a powerful encouragement that gets us excited about being our best selves.”
Anything else you want to share about leadership?
“Leadership coaching helped me make a turn in my career and get a better outlook on my life. I can’t overemphasize the impact that my training with Michael Sgro has made on my success and my self confidence.”
Our mission is to coach extraordinary leaders and to develop empathy as a core competency. We work with business owners, nonprofit organizations, professionals, universities and community members who are facing challenges in their personal and professional effectiveness or want to reach their full capacity as a leader.