Achieving the Empathetic Edge: A 6-Month Mentorship Journey

Leadership today isn’t just about strategy or results—it’s about people. The best leaders inspire trust, build connection, and lead with empathy. But empathetic leadership isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a skillset. And like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and mastered.

That’s exactly what this one-to-one 6-month mentorship program is designed to do.

Unlike traditional coaching, where you’re asked to “find your own answers” with little direction, this program combines structured mentoring with guided reflection. Every two weeks, we’ll explore one of the 12 leadership Strategic Talents from Neil Francis book ‘The Leadership Book - Achieving the empathetic edge’ —from self-acceptance and resilience to individuality to mindset.

Here’s how it works:

- One-to-one Sessions: Every two weeks, you’ll get a practical leadership principle, real-world story, and tools you can apply immediately.
- Guided Reflection: Each session includes thought-provoking questions to help you personalize the lesson.
- Mentorship Support: I’ll share insights, strategies, and encouragement so you’re not walking this journey alone.
- Time to Apply: The two-week rhythm gives you breathing space to test, practice, and embed each new skill into your leadership style.

This is not theory for theory’s sake. It’s a hands-on journey where you’ll build resilience, boost confidence, and unlock the empathetic edge that transforms how you lead and connect with others.

By the end of 6 months, you won’t just understand empathetic leadership—you’ll live it.

To find out more, including pricing for the 6 month program, either call Neil on

0771 252 7158 or e-mail him at neil@neil-francis.com.

‘‘The Leadership Book -Achieving The Empathetic Edge’’ will hit the book shelves in early 2026

The 6 Month ‘‘Achieving The Empathetic Edge’’ Mentorship Program

  • ✺

    Session 1

    Steel, Sweat, and Empathy

    Self-Acceptance

    Focus: Understand the role of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership.

    1. Explain why self-acceptance is foundational for empathetic leadership.

    2. Recognise how small acts of valuing people can transform culture.

    3. Practice self-reflection to identify strengths, quirks, and imperfections they bring to leadership.

  • ✺

    Session 2

    Fake It 'Til You Make It

    Self-Belief

    Focus: Building confidence, overcoming imposter syndrome, and leading with authenticity.

    1. Recognise the signs of imposter syndrome in themselves and others.

    2. Apply strategies to project confidence even when self-doubt creeps in.

    3. Support their teams by normalizing vulnerability and self-belief.

  • ✺

    Session 3

    Breaking Free

    Self-Awareness

    Focus: Challenging assumptions, uncovering blind spots, and growing through self-awareness.

    1. Explain the importance of self-awareness in effective leadership.

    2. Identify common leadership blind spots and how they impact teams.

    3. Use feedback and reflection tools (like the Johari Window) to expand self-awareness.

  • ✺

    Session 4

    Think Different

    Individuality

    Focus: Embracing authenticity, celebrating uniqueness, and leading with originality.

    1. Understand why individuality and authenticity are essential for leadership.

    2. Recognise the dangers of conformity and losing one’s “you-ness.”

    3. Apply strategies to encourage individuality and creative risk-taking in their teams.

  • ✺

    Session 5

    Positive Vibes

    Optimism

    Focus: Leading with hope, resilience, and positivity — even when challenges seem impossible.

    1. Explain why optimism is essential for leadership success.

    2. Apply the ABCDE model of learned optimism to real-world challenges.

    3. Recognise how optimism drives resilience, creativity, and trust in teams.

  • ✺

    Session 6

    Predicting the Future

    Mindset

    Focus: Embracing growth, adaptability, and resilience in leadership.

    1. Explain the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.

    2. Recognise how mindset influences leadership choices and team culture.

    3. Apply growth mindset practices to reframe challenges and mistakes as opportunities.

  • ✺

    Session 7

    Frustration to Innovation

    Perseverance

    Focus: Turning setbacks into breakthroughs through persistence and resilience.

    1. Recognise how perseverance fuels innovation and long-term success.

    2. Apply strategies to reframe failures as stepping stones rather than setbacks.

    3. Lead with resilience to inspire determination in their teams.

  • ✺

    Session 8

    Radiate and Glow

    Strengths

    Focus: Discovering and leveraging strengths to unlock leadership and team potential.

    1. Identify their own natural strengths and understand how to use them more effectively.

    2. Recognise and encourage the strengths of their team members.

    3. Apply strengths-based leadership to foster engagement, collaboration, and loyalty.

  • ✺

    Session 9

    Losing Big, Winning Bigger

    Failure

    Focus: Turning setbacks into springboards for resilience, creativity, and leadership growth.

    1. Reframe failure as a stepping stone to growth and innovation.

    2 Recognise how failure builds resilience, empathy, and creativity in leadership.

    3. Use personal stories of failure to inspire and connect with others.

  • ✺

    Session 10

    Serendipitous Room Assignment

    Luck

    Focus: Spotting, seizing, and sharing opportunities when luck strikes.

    1. Reframe failure as a stepping stone to growth and innovation.

    2. Recognise how failure builds resilience, empathy, and creativity in leadership.

    3. Use personal stories of failure to inspire and connect with others.

  • ✺

    Session 11

    Curiosity, Curiosity, Curiosity

    Creativity

    Focus: How leaders spark innovation by creating curiosity-driven environments where ideas thrive.

    1. Recognise the role of curiosity in driving creativity and innovation.

    2. Apply empathetic leadership practices to foster psychological safety and risk-taking.

    3. Design team environments that encourage experimentation, diverse perspectives, and fresh ideas.

  • ✺

    Session 12

    The Unsung Heroes

    Friendship

    Focus: How friendships act as anchors for resilient, empathetic leadership.

    1. Recognise the role of friendships in sustaining leadership resilience and empathy.

    2. Identify Tom Rath’s 8 friendship roles and reflect on which ones exist in their own lives.

    3. Apply intentional strategies to lean on friends for perspective, encouragement, and balance.

To find out more, including pricing for the 6 month program either call Neil on 0771 252 7158 or e-mail him at neil@neil-francis.com.

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.