In this episode of the PRovoke Media podcast, Adam Pawluk, head of Labs at JPA Health, breaks down the concept of “radical compassion” and its increasing importance in organizational leadership. Pawluk explains why empathetic leaders are better positioned to cultivate psychological safety — a key ingredient for creativity, risk-taking, and sustained innovation. He draws on new research showing that employees with compassionate senior leaders are nearly five times more likely to report being innovative in their work, making the case for empathy as a strategic advantage rather than a soft skill.

The discussion connects the dots between leadership style and organizational outcomes, highlighting how emotionally intelligent managers can improve job satisfaction, spark creative thinking, and drive better performance. From the NHS to Microsoft’s cultural transformation under Satya Nadella, Pawluk points to real-world examples where compassionate leadership has fueled breakthroughs.