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Workplaces would be better if both leaders and employees paid more attention to how others are feeling, however certain types of empathy come with psychosocial risks, a leadership specialist and a neuroscientist warn.

In their new book, Neuroeffective Leadership, professor of applied neuroscience Patricia Riddell and leadership consultant Ian McDermott say that because most workplaces are social environments, it would be great if leaders and employees alike "noticed what was going on for others and used this information to create a community in which everyone feels valued and respected".

They anticipate a sceptical response – "Dream on!" – but they suggest that "any improvement in noticing will be potentially both productive and rewarding".

However, paying attention to others – including how they might be feeling – can be done in different ways, and they highlight how two in particular can have an impact on workplaces...