How to Cultivate Empathy in the Workplace and Why it (really) Matters?
- May 26, 2021
- 4 min read
Written by: Adelina Stefan, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In a world that is constantly changing, the workday is no longer 9 to 5. Research has shown that people expect more than simple job security and a decent salary, want to find meaning in their work, have flexibility regarding where, when, and how they work, embrace challenges and deal with them in a supportive atmosphere.
The pandemic made people adapt to work-from-home rapidly, and despite the geographical and physical distance, it appears that people came closer to each other. In other words, we can say that there are no borders anymore. Therefore, it is critical for organizations to look beyond their traditional management structures for development. In today’s VUCA world, employees want to be inspired, heard, motivated to get the work done, and feel they are part of an extended family where they add value and are being valued at the same time. By focusing on culture and putting people first, organizations will create value and drive efficiency and profit.
A key element that is required from leaders is empathy– a vital leadership skill. Showing empathy constitutes a key component of emotional intelligence, contributing to effective communication, reducing the risk of burnout, and bringing positive results both on a professional and personal level. Empathy is often confused with sympathy, though their meaning is different. Sympathy entails the feeling concerned about someone, while empathy is the ability to understand people’s emotions and different perspectives on a situation, supporting them to deal with challenging situations for the better.
Hence, by being compassionate and connecting with others on a deeper level while being part of a larger system, we design our life in collaboration with others, learning, celebrating, caring for each other, and growing together. By using their empathetic skills, stakeholders can recognize red flags of overwork in their team members and support them when they need it most.
My experience as a Professional Coach has shown me that by investing in people to cultivate empathy and become an active listener, people will be able to take the lead, communicate and lead with confidence, get clarity on projects and focus on what really matters both for the organizations as well as for their personal development. These constitute benefits for the employee as well as a development tool for organizations doing business remotely and working in hybrid teams. On the other hand, a lack of empathy, i.e., apathy, in anyone can impact dramatically on everyone else.
Although every individual has a different level and capacity for empathy, there are many ways to develop empathy at work. Below you will find 5 tips to cultivate empathy:
Be open. Put yourself in the other person’s place and consider their different perspectives without making assumptions about their thoughts or feelings.
Be flexible. One approach doesn’t fit everyone! Use an appropriate voice, language, and cultural norms that are appropriate to your speaker. By doing so, you are more likely to create a culture of empowerment and psychological safety.
Be curious to learn more about how other people think and what they care about in their life. Invite them to describe how they feel and how they think they might resolve the issue. Asking powerful questions is one simple and direct way to understand other people’s emotions and show sincere interest in their needs, dreams, and hopes. Team members who feel appreciated are more engaged, willing to put more effort and go the extra mile.
Be an active listener. Listen with your full senses, paying attention to what is said, and the feelings, behavior, and values shared, including non-verbal communication such as facial expressions, gestures, tone, the pace of speech, and silence. By listening with your ears, heart, mind, and with your gut, people around you will feel respected, and you will build trust in your team.
Take action. There is no “one” right way to cultivate empathy as it depends on the situation, individual, culture, interactions, and different emotions at a specific time. Empathy is not something to practice only when facing a crisis, but in any situation where you allow yourself to see the world from different perspectives, give your full attention to what someone is trying to tell you. It is a skill that can be constantly developed through practice, coaching, and different frameworks that will allow you as a leader to keep people on track, developing, listening, and building a genuine rapport with your team.
Adelina Stefan, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Adelina Stefan is a Professional Certified Coach & Intercultural Facilitator specialized in Career Development, with deep expertise in international HR recruitment and selection and Training and Development. Having worked for 10+ years across cultures, Adelina seeks to catalyze individuals’ potential, helping them create and implement their unique career blueprint and, at the same time, achieve a healthy work-life balance. She specializes in working with ex-pats and mid-to senior-level executives dealing with challenging work environments that can affect their performance and well-being. She supports organizations in building a corporate coaching culture by highlighting individuals’ maximum potential and engagement to become dedicated and highly successful employees. Her practice includes Career, Life, Executive, and Agile Coaching for individuals and developing and implementing corporate Human Resources practices for improving intercultural relations.
