Issue 30: Today’s Brew: Leading with Empathy Through Seasonal Stress
☕ Brewed for Leaders Who Care
Espresso & Empathy — Issue 30
By: Shannon Foster
Founder & Senior Consultant, Martin & Foster Consulting
September 24, 2025
The Shift of Seasons
As summer fades and the days shorten, a new kind of pressure quietly arrives. The fall and winter months bring heavier workloads, holiday expectations, financial stress, and—for some—the weight of loneliness or seasonal depression.
For leaders, this time of year is a reminder: the people you lead aren’t just employees. They’re human beings navigating complex lives. And how you show up during these months can either deepen trust—or deepen the silence.
Why It Matters
Many employees won’t openly share that they’re struggling. Instead, stress shows up as missed deadlines, disengagement, irritability, or withdrawal. Without awareness, leaders may mistake it for lack of motivation—when in reality, it’s a need for support.
Empathetic leadership in this season isn’t about lowering the bar. It’s about lifting people up.
Ways to Support During Seasonal Stress
Notice the Signs
Normalize the Conversation
Offer Flexibility Where You Can
Encourage Use of Resources
Lead by Example
Leadership Self-Audit
Ask yourself:
Have I checked in on my team beyond just their tasks?
Am I creating space for people to share when they’re overwhelmed?
Do I respond with curiosity—or judgment—when performance dips?
Have I modeled balance and self-care myself?
Final Thoughts
Leadership isn’t just about navigating the numbers at year-end. It’s about navigating the people—through the seasons of both work and life.
As the days get shorter, let your leadership light shine brighter. Recognize the stress. Respond with empathy. Remind your team that they’re not alone.
Because sometimes the most important thing we can do as leaders is not to solve—but to see.