DON'T MISS A THING

At Love Happens, we believe empathy isn’t just a leadership trait—it’s a powerful force for change. On September 17, 2025, inside the stunning headquarters of L’Oréal Portugal, we joined a beautiful gathering for the launch of the white paper “Liderança Empática” (Empathetic Leadership), a collaboration between Power UP and L’Oréal Portugal.

An inspiring night filled with purpose, dialogue, and powerful voices, we left with hearts full and minds open. And of course, we couldn’t miss the chance to sit down with two extraordinary women behind it all—Filipa Lemos Cristina and Sara Lopes da Silva—for an intimate conversation on the future of leadership.

Empowered Women Empower—Meet Filipa Lemos Cristina, Co-founder & Driver of POWER UP

Love Happens: Power Up believes in the power of empathy as a driver of transformation. When did your “passion” for human development and leadership begin?

Filipa Lemos Cristina: I have always been curious by nature, and that curiosity led me to explore different paths throughout my professional life. Directly or indirectly, human development and leadership have always been present. Over the last six years, and after becoming a mother, I found myself reevaluating values and purpose, and this connection became even more evident. I realized that I have a deep passion for understanding what truly drives people. I have always felt that the difference, in any context, lies not only in technique but above all in the way we relate to one another.

Throughout my career, I experienced very contrasting leadership styles—some inspiring, others profoundly challenging. Those moments showed me the transformative impact of empathy, or the lack thereof, on people, teams, and results.

From that awareness, a purpose was born: to help leaders and teams activate what is most human within them. In an increasingly technological world, I believe that our humanity will be precisely the great competitive advantage—because it is what makes us unique and allows us to create true synergy between people and technology.

Empathetic leadership is the art of balancing humanity, strategy, and results. It’s not about being ‘nice’—it’s about leading with sensitivity and firmness.

LH: How do you define Empathetic Leadership from your perspective?

Filipa: For me, Empathetic Leadership is the art of balancing humanity, strategy, and results. It is the ability to listen genuinely, validate emotions, understand perspectives, and at the same time guide teams towards results with clarity and courage. It is not about being “nice,” nor about avoiding difficult decisions—it is about leading with sensitivity but also with firmness. Empathy creates psychological safety, and it is this environment of trust that unlocks collaboration, innovation, and performance.

LH: In what way do you believe you can empower other women through your work?

Filipa: I believe that empowering other women begins, first and foremost, by being an example and paving the way—but also by doing it side by side with men. Inclusive leadership is built together, not apart. I want to show that it is possible to reconcile leadership with authenticity, and that we do not need to hide vulnerability in order to be strong. I want other women to feel that they have space to shine without giving up their voice or their essence. By promoting more inclusive and empathetic cultures, I believe we are creating fertile ground for greater equity and diversity, where each person can thrive as their true self—and in this way contribute more fully to their personal growth, the growth of the organization, and social growth.

LH: Who is Filipa Lemos Cristina, the Woman? And who is Filipa Lemos Cristina, the Professional?

Filipa: As a woman, I am someone deeply curious, who highly values family, friendships, and moments of sharing. I am very sensitive to emotions—both mine and others’—and I believe that this is a strength, not a weakness. As a professional, I seek to transform that sensitivity into positive impact. I am results-oriented, and I believe that it only makes sense to achieve goals when humanity is not lost in the process. At the end of the day, what defines me is this coherence: being the same person, inside and outside of work.

LH: What next steps or challenges do you envision for yourself and for Power Up on this path of promoting empathetic leadership?

Filipa: I want to continue strengthening our presence in the Portuguese market—because I am Portuguese and I genuinely believe in the talent we have here. But I also want to take this message further, beyond Portugal. And today, with support networks and the use of technology, this is possible in a much more agile and accessible way. Our next step is to create a true ecosystem of continuous learning—which unites science and practice—around empathetic leadership and other human skills. We will do this through talks, workshops, and case studies that involve more and more companies and sectors. We are also preparing the international English version of the whitepaper, which will be launched in the coming months.

The big challenge will be to maintain coherence in this expansion: to grow without ever losing sight of what drives us—helping people and organizations thrive in a more human and sustainable way. And, on a personal level, to grow without ceasing to be who I am, always preserving my essence and values.

Empowered Women Empower—Meet Sara Lopes da Silva, Human Relations Director at L’ORÉAL PORTUGAL

Love Happens: What empowers you as a woman and a leader?

Sara Loeps da Silva: What empowers me most as a leader is the ability to generate a positive impact on people’s lives and on the culture of the organization—in this case, L’Oréal. Feeling that I can contribute to a more human workplace, where people feel seen, heard, and safe to be themselves, is my greatest source of motivation. Seeing teams grow, overcome challenges, and share their fears and weaknesses openly, knowing there is a support network, is what makes me proud of my mission as a leader. I also feel empowered by embracing my own vulnerability and seeing how it inspires trust and authenticity in others.

I believe that the true power of a leader does not lie in authority but in the ability to build genuine connections and to empower others to reach their potential.

LH: What advice would you give to a young woman aspiring to a career in leadership?

Sara: My advice is to invest in self-knowledge, dream big, and not be afraid of being vulnerable. Your greatest strength as a leader will come from your authenticity, so you should not try to be someone you are not. Instead, my advice is to seek to understand your strengths, your passions, and also your insecurities, having the courage to be imperfect, to know how to ask for help, and to connect with people on a human level.

LH: What impact do you hope to have on the teams and people you work with?

Sara: My goal is to create an impact that is, above all, human and transformative. I hope to inspire people to embrace their own vulnerability as a strength and to lead with more authenticity and empathy. I want to contribute to building a culture where psychological safety is the norm, allowing creativity and innovation to flourish.

LH: Who is Sara Lopes da Silva, the woman? And who is Sara Lopes da Silva, the leader?

Sara: In truth, I don’t see a separation between the two. Sara, the woman, and Sara, the leader, are the same person, guided by the same values of authenticity, empathy, and connection. My way of leading is a direct reflection of who I am: someone who values human relationships and believes in the power of vulnerability. From early on, I was encouraged to invest in self-knowledge, and that was fundamental in aligning my leadership style with my identity. I don’t try to project the image of a perfect or infallible leader. On the contrary, I don’t hesitate to share my doubts or admit mistakes.

I believe it is this coherence and authenticity that allow me to be a more effective leader, and above all, a more human one.

LH: What can we expect next in your journey and in that of L’Oréal Portugal when it comes to empathetic leadership?

Sara: My commitment to empathetic leadership is continuous. Both in my personal journey and in that of L’Oréal Portugal, this is a path we continue to walk and deepen. Our focus is to keep cultivating a culture where empathy and psychological safety are central pillars. This translates into continuing to invest in training and development for our leaders, in promoting open dialogue, and in creating spaces where vulnerability is encouraged. We want L’Oréal Portugal to increasingly be an example of how a human, inclusive, and empathetic approach to leadership not only generates well-being for people but also drives innovation and the sustainable success of the business.

What motivates me? We still have a journey ahead, but we have the best and most committed teams to continue, together, this mission of creating the beauty that moves the world forward.

Interview by Bruna Araújo

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