The findings also highlight a disconnect between executives and employees over who is responsible for shaping workplace empathy.

A majority of CEOs and chief human resources officers (CHROs) believe that demonstrating empathy at work could undermine their authority, despite overwhelmingly recognising its contribution to business performance, according to new research by Businessolver.

The 2026 State of Workplace Empathy C-Suite Special Report found that 59% of CEOs and 51% of CHROs or chief people officers (CPOs) expect their decisions to be challenged when they lead with empathy. However, 99% of CEOs and 88% of CHROs believe empathy contributes to business results.

The findings are based on a survey of 1,000 employees and 300 C-suite executives, including CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, CTOs and CHROs/CPOs. The report forms part of Businessolver's 11th annual study on workplace empathy.

Despite identifying the CEO as the executive with the greatest influence over building an empathetic workplace culture, many leaders remain uncomfortable demonstrating the behaviour themselves.

The research found that 43% of CEOs fear losing respect if they demonstrate empathy at work, while 61% say consistently demonstrating empathy is difficult in their day-to-day responsibilities.

"Executives have overwhelmingly accepted the business case for empathy, but data shows many still don't feel safe acting on it," said Marcy Klipfel, chief engagement officer at Businessolver.

‍

She added that the constraints experienced by chief people leaders could affect how organisations make decisions, with employees feeling the consequences before they become visible in metrics such as employee turnover or declining productivity.

Read the full article here: