E for Empathy: 42% of wealthy Singaporeans say empathy part of CEO's job

About 52% said being understanding is an essential quality of a good CEO.

About 42% of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) and senior executives in Singapore are now considering empathy as part of a CEO’s job, Bupa Global’s Executive Wellbeing Index 2021 showed.
 
From the 200 surveyed, 49% are expecting CEOs to show greater empathy and understanding towards their employees given the changes in workplace norms brought about by the pandemic.
 
More than half (52%) of the HNWIs also said being understanding is the most essential quality that a good CEO must have, closely followed by being decisive (50%), and having integrity (49%).
 
Bupa Global‘s Global Marketing Director, Neil Kirby, said the emergence of an “empathetic, inclusive leadership style,” was brought about by the pandemic.
 
This was echoed by 56% of Singaporean HNWIs who said the pandemic has elevated the importance they place on their personal well-being.
 
More Singaporean business leaders have also put a high priority on the welfare of their employees, with 50% believing that their organisation should have a greater responsibility for supporting employee wellbeing and 44% wanting more focus on mental health.
 
Singapore is expected to increase its spending on mental health support at work in the coming year by 11%.
 
Meanwhile, the Index also revealed that more leaders will be prioritising balancing profit with purpose and planning greater focus on the environmental agenda in the next 12 months.
 
In Singapore, 36% of companies are planning to put more emphasis on their environmental agenda, while 2 in 5 (41%) of HNWIs believe their respective companies understand the importance of balancing profit with purpose.