Leading with Empathy Works!
Just look at Steve Kerr, Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors since 2014. In his first five seasons, he guided the team to the NBA Finals every year, securing three championships. After a brief playoff drought, the Warriors returned to claim another title — all fueled by Kerr’s unwavering commitment to compassionate, uplifting leadership. His success proves that you don’t have to choose between kindness and winning — you can lead with empathy and still dominate.
In fact, Steve Kerr’s leadership style is a masterclass in blending empathy with high performance — and his success with the Golden State Warriors reflects that balance. Let’s break this down by his four core principles:
🎉 1. Joy — "It's meant to be fun."
Kerr learned this from Pete Carroll, who built a fun, energetic culture with the Seattle Seahawks. Kerr believes basketball — even at the highest level — should still feel like a game, not a job.
- He encourages lightheartedness and camaraderie during practices, often letting players’ families join road trips and creating an environment where players feel relaxed and happy.
- This joy translates to the court, where the Warriors’ fast, free-flowing style reflects that mindset. Draymond’s quote about kids running around is a perfect example — Kerr promotes a family atmosphere, keeping the game connected to what matters most: love for the sport and each other.
Empathetic leadership takeaway: Joy fuels resilience. When players enjoy coming to work, they’re more engaged and emotionally invested — and that’s sustainable motivation.
✅ Application in healthcare:
- Celebrate small wins — whether it’s a successful procedure, a patient’s milestone, or a day without incidents.
- Encourage camaraderie among staff. Team-building activities, lighthearted moments, and even a bit of humor can make tough shifts more bearable.
- Create an environment where people feel happy to come to work — because joy fuels resilience.
Read more about why this is so important.
👉 Example: A nurse leader could start team huddles with positive patient stories or shoutouts to staff for going above and beyond — shifting the focus from stress to shared success.
2. Mindfulness — "Stay in the moment. Focus on the process. Be grateful for the opportunity."
Kerr integrates mindfulness practices into team culture. He brought in meditation coaches and encourages players to embrace the present moment — not fixate on mistakes or future outcomes.
- He models this himself. Even after heartbreaking losses (like the 2016 Finals), he stays composed and reflects on the journey, not just the result.
- Players like Steph Curry embody this mindfulness, staying cool under pressure and bouncing back from adversity without dwelling on failures.
Empathetic leadership takeaway: Staying present — rather than obsessing over the past or future — reduces anxiety and keeps the team focused on what they can control.
✅ Application in healthcare:
- Introduce mindfulness practices, like short breathing exercises or guided reflections before high-stress situations (e.g., surgeries, emergency room shifts).
- Encourage staff to focus on what they can control — the process — rather than getting overwhelmed by outcomes or mistakes.
- Promote gratitude by recognizing the privilege of making a difference in people’s lives — even on hard days.
👉 Example: A charge nurse could lead a brief “reset moment” during shift changes, helping staff refocus and leave behind any emotional baggage from previous patients.
❤️ 3. Compassion — "Show how much you care."
Having been a role player himself, Kerr knows what it feels like to sit on the bench or struggle for minutes. That experience shaped his empathetic coaching style.
- He listens. Really listens — whether it’s Draymond’s fiery emotions, Steph Curry’s ultimate confidence, or a rookie finding their way.
- Kerr frequently defends his players publicly, even when they make mistakes, creating an unshakable trust within the team.
- He also embraces vulnerability, sharing his own struggles — like when he missed time for back surgery complications — showing players that strength includes openness.
Empathetic leadership takeaway: People perform better when they feel heard, valued, and understood. Kerr makes sure every player — superstar or bench player — feels essential.
✅ Application in healthcare:
- Prioritize active listening — whether it’s a nurse struggling with workload, a physician feeling isolated, or a tech with fresh ideas.
- Check in on your team’s well-being — not just their performance. Ask, “How are you doing?” and mean it.
- Lead by example — show vulnerability, share your own challenges, and create a culture where it’s okay to ask for help.
👉 Example: A department head could schedule regular one-on-one check-ins with staff to discuss not just work, but how they’re coping emotionally and mentally — fostering trust and psychological safety.
Read more about the best of empathy in healthcare.
🔥 4. Competition — "We compete. We keep score. We make sure there are winners and losers."
Despite his empathetic approach, Kerr doesn’t shy away from demanding excellence. He balances joy and compassion with a fierce competitive edge — another Pete Carroll trait.
- Kerr keeps practices sharp with constant scrimmages, challenges, and mini-games to fuel players’ drive.
- He fosters internal competition — pushing players to fight for their roles — but ensures that competition doesn’t become toxic. It’s always framed as “iron sharpens iron.”
- He even stokes rivalries externally, like encouraging the Warriors to embrace the “villain” role during their dynasty run to fuel their competitive fire.
Empathetic leadership takeaway: Compassion doesn’t mean lowering standards. Kerr shows that you can push people to compete — even ruthlessly — without sacrificing empathy or respect.
✅ Application in healthcare:
- Set measurable, meaningful goals — like reducing patient wait times, improving patient satisfaction scores, or achieving zero medication errors — and track progress together.
- Create friendly competitions between departments or shifts to boost engagement and performance (e.g., who can achieve the highest patient satisfaction score).
- Encourage staff to learn from mistakes without fear of punishment — focus on improving processes, not assigning blame.
👉 Example: A hospital unit could create a “Quality Cup” — recognizing the team that achieves the best performance metrics that month — blending competition with collaboration.
Read more about the importance of empathy in leadership.
Wondering how leading with empathy looks?
You walk in after a game — it’s 10 kids running around the court. You come to practice, my kids are running around, someone else’s kids are running around. That’s Steve, bringing your family on the plane.
Other teams aren’t doing that — that’s insane. He brought that culture to this team. All of that is part of the success you’re seeing. It’s not just guys going out there making shots, getting assists, or grabbing rebounds.
All those little things make a difference in a team, in an organization. It’s about having those small things that impact your mood, that impact winning — things no one else sees. I think those things are more special than anything.
🌟 Final Takeaway:
Steve Kerr’s leadership works because it’s human-centered — balancing empathy with performance, and joy with accountability. In healthcare, where the emotional toll is high and the margin for error is slim, his approach could transform team culture, reduce burnout, and improve patient care outcomes.
Healthcare leaders can ask themselves:
- Are we creating an environment where joy and fulfillment thrive?
- How do we help our teams stay present and focused under pressure?
- Are we leading with compassion — truly listening and supporting our staff?
- How do we inspire healthy competition and continuous improvement without sacrificing empathy?
