When Awareness is Not Enough: Emotional Intelligence for Leaders with Workers Caring for Loved Ones with Disabilities.

Globally and particularly in many African countries like Nigeria, raising a child with autism or caring for a loved one with a disability comes with a unique set of challenges. While awareness about autism has grown in recent years, there remains a significant gap in understanding the profound emotional toll it takes on caregivers, especially in the workplace.

As a leader, whether in a small business or a large corporation, you have the ability to make a transformative difference by embracing emotional intelligence (EI) to support employees who are caregivers.

As explained by Donna Schempp, in her article, The Emotional Side of Caregiving, “Many feelings come up when you are caring for someone day in and day out.”

Awareness alone is not enough. You must understand the emotional struggles your workers are facing and how you can provide the right kind of support to alleviate these burdens.

The Struggles of Nigerian Families with Autism

Across Nigeria, families are often caught between limited resources, societal misconceptions, and the cultural stigma surrounding disabilities. Autism, though increasingly recognized, remains largely misunderstood in many Nigerian communities.

People still view it through the lens of traditional beliefs, which can lead to confusion, blame, and isolation for affected families. Families often face the harsh reality of navigating a system with insufficient medical professionals, educational support, and therapy options.

As a result, many caregivers—particularly parents—often shoulder the responsibility of caregiving with minimal outside support. This can lead to what the Cleveland Clinic describes as “physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion” that caregivers may experience while caring for others.

But it’s not just about providing physical care. The emotional toll on caregivers is immense. Many Nigerians see caregiving as a private duty, and as such, emotional and mental health concerns are often swept under the rug.

As a leader, you may not realize the extent to which this burden affects your employees, especially when they are juggling the demands of caregiving with their professional responsibilities.

The Hidden Burden: Caregiving and Work

Imagine trying to concentrate on a project while your mind is preoccupied with concerns about a loved one’s well-being. For many caregivers, this is a daily reality. Caregivers are often overwhelmed with feelings of guilt, stress, anxiety, and isolation.

For example, a mother caring for a child with autism may struggle with feelings of inadequacy, wondering if she is doing enough to provide the right support for her child. At the same time, she may be worried about missing work, losing her job, or not performing well enough to meet workplace expectations.

The emotional strain doesn’t end when employees leave the office. Many caregivers face burnout as they are emotionally drained from managing the demands of both home and work life.

The pressure to succeed at work while taking care of someone with special needs creates a perfect storm of mental and emotional stress. Without the proper support, this burden can lead to absenteeism, decreased productivity, or even depression.

This makes it essential that as a leader, you not only recognize these emotional challenges but also actively support your employees through them.

The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

So, what can you do to support employees who are caregivers? The answer lies in cultivating emotional intelligence (EI). EI involves the ability to recognize and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. For a leader, this means being empathetic, self-aware, and supportive of your team members, especially those facing personal challenges.

First, it is important to understand that emotional intelligence goes beyond simply recognizing that an employee is struggling.

It means proactively providing solutions, creating an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing personal challenges, and offering practical support that can help alleviate some of the strain they are facing.

Research has shown that workplaces with leaders who exhibit high emotional intelligence tend to have more motivated employees, lower turnover rates, and higher productivity levels. Leaders who understand the emotional needs of their employees are also more likely to foster a supportive, collaborative workplace culture(Pham, 2024).

How Leaders Can Cultivate Emotional Intelligence

Cultivating emotional intelligence is a skill that takes practice. Here are some practical ways you can begin to support your employees who are also caregivers:

1. Active Listening: Listen to your employees without judgment when they share their concerns. Ask them how they are doing and whether there is anything you can do to make their work-life balance easier. Acknowledge their struggles without minimizing them and offer a sympathetic ear.
2. Empathy in Practice: Empathy is the cornerstone of emotional intelligence. Take the time to understand what caregivers are going through. A simple gesture, such as offering flexible work hours or the ability to work from home, can significantly reduce the stress on caregivers. When employees feel understood and supported, their productivity and engagement increase (Hauwiller, 2025).
3. Fostering a Compassionate Workplace: Emotional intelligence also means creating a compassionate environment. Encourage open communication and let employees know that they can come to you if they need help. Whether it’s offering time off to attend a doctor’s appointment or simply giving them the flexibility to handle an emergency, small accommodations can go a long way.

The Benefits of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Supporting employees who are caregivers is not just the right thing to do—it is also beneficial for the entire team. Studies have shown that employees who feel supported by their leaders are more likely to stay with the company and perform better.

In fact, research from Gallup written by Jim Harter in 2017 suggests that emotionally supported employees are more engaged, more productive, and less likely to leave their jobs.

Additionally, fostering a culture of empathy and understanding can have a ripple effect throughout the organization. Employees who feel respected and cared for are more likely to pass that respect on to their coworkers, creating a more positive and cohesive work environment.

That also means that by actively engaging with employees’ emotional needs, you are investing in a more productive, loyal, and satisfied workforce. That is what all these are about.

Conclusion: Moving Beyond Awareness to Action

As a leader, your role in supporting caregivers is not only about awareness; it’s about taking action to make your workplace more emotionally intelligent. Understanding the challenges that employees face in balancing caregiving with work is key to creating a compassionate, supportive environment where employees can thrive.

The benefits to your organization will be significant, from improved employee morale to increased productivity and retention. Ultimately, when you lead with empathy and emotional intelligence, you are not just helping employees do their jobs better—you are helping them live better lives.

References .

Cleveland Clinic.(2023). Caregiver Burnout. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9225-caregiver-burnout.

Harter. J.(2017). Employee Engagement vs. Employee Satisfaction and Organizational Culture. Accessible from : https://www.gallup.com/workplace/236366/right-culture-not-employee-satisfaction.aspx.

Hauwiller. J.(2025). Empathy Is a Cornerstone of Emotional Intelligence and Team Success. University of St. Thomas. Article accessible from : https://news.stthomas.edu/empathy-is-a-cornerstone-of-emotional-intelligence-and-team-success/

Pham. E. (2024). Why Emotional Intelligence Matters At Work And How You Can Improve. Forbes. Accessible from : https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/02/23/why-emotional-intelligence-matters-at-work-and-how-you-can-improve/

Schempp, D. (2014). The Emotional Side of Caregiving. Family Caregiver Alliance. Available from : https://www.caregiver.org/resource/emotional-side-caregiving