Every decision a manager makes – whether it’s delegating a task, having a difficult conversation, or guiding a team through uncertainty – shapes people, performance, and progress. Yet decisions are rarely purely rational. They’re influenced by emotions, trust, empathy, and unconscious shortcuts.
Our latest research report, The Empathy Problem: Balancing Emotion in Decision-Making, uncovers the hidden dynamics of how managers really make decisions – and what organizations can do to support better outcomes.
Written by Dr Anna Barnett and Dr Anastasia Voronkova from our Research and Insights team, this free report combines evidence, data, and real-world stories from managers across industries and countries.
Meet our researchers
Dr Anna Barnett
Senior Insights Analyst, Mindtools
As a Chartered Psychologist with a strong background in academic research, Anna specializes in skills measurement and evaluation.
Dr Anastasia Voronkova
PhD Researcher
Ana is a mixed-methods researcher specializing in social and environmental psychology. She has deep knowledge of practical research and advanced analytics.
Ready to explore the findings?
Access your free copy today and discover how to support emotionally intelligent decision-making in your organization – and in yourself.
Why read the report?
- For L&D, HR and Talent Development professionals: Get actionable insights to design programs that improve decision-making, resilience, and trust across your organization.
- For managers: Understand your own decision-making patterns and discover practical strategies to strengthen your emotional intelligence.
52% of managers
Turnover reduces 48%
4 in 5 managers
This practical, evidence-based guide will help you:
- Spot the role of trust and empathy in day-to-day decisions.
- Recognize when emotions help – or hinder – good judgment.
- Support managers to use heuristics (decision shortcuts) more effectively.
Build a culture where emotionally intelligent decisions boost performance and retention.
Did you know..
58% of managers turn to peers for advice before making emotionally charged decisions – spreading both insights and biases.
Stats you can trust
The data presented in this report was collected between May and June 2025. A total of 279 people leaders participated in the research, evenly split between women (50%) and men (50%). Participants were based across eight countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, South Africa, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Workshops that turn skills into business impact
We build accountability into every step, with peer and facilitator feedback, senior leader involvement, and clear actions to sustain progress.
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