How To Practice Empathy In The Workplace To Build A Stronger Team
- Aug 16, 2022
- 5 min read
Written by: Alexandra Elinsky, 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.
Empathy is powerful. It connects us with other people and brings us closer together. When we empathize with others, we offer safe zones for people to express themselves, to speak their minds, without any judgment. Empathy sharpens our perspectives and helps us make wiser decisions. But how do you apply it in the workplace? How do you connect with your team using empathic coaching?
Using empathy to lead helps unify and strengthen our team.
Before we dive in, we must first understand the three types of empathy. So, let’s take a look at these types and how it differs from sympathy.
The 3 Types of Empathy
Empathy is categorized into the following categories:
1. Cognitive
Also known as empathetic accuracy, cognitive empathy refers to understanding what someone is thinking. This type of empathy stems from having a similar experience.
2. Compassionate
Compassionate empathy is the ability to understand and share in someone’s emotions and act accordingly. Many of us can relate to someone’s sorrow with the loss of a loved one or the frustration of a flat tire.
3. Emotional
Emotional empathy is applying the physical traits of someone’s suffering to yourself. For example, we wince when someone stubs a toe or bumps their head on a wall.
So, we discussed the textbook definitions of empathy. Let’s talk about the difference between empathy and sympathy.
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Empathy versus Sympathy
Sometimes people confuse the difference between sympathizing with another person and empathizing.
Sympathy means acknowledging one’s suffering. You don’t understand the perspective per se, but emotionally you feel sorry for her misfortune. You can experience sympathy and be unmoved by the situation.
For example, if a colleague’s sibling passes away. You might not understand losing a sibling, but you know the pain associated with loss.
Empathy means acknowledging and feeling one’s suffering. You understand the situation because you have experienced it before, or you are experiencing the pain right there with them. To empathize with someone means to embody the same feelings that person is feeling.
You don’t learn empathy by doing a few corporate icebreakers. It’s not a skill you learn by playing a game with a colleague for a few minutes and then getting back to work. Understanding and applying empathy takes time.
Empathy is a powerful soft skill that will build connections in staggering ways. Let’s take a look at how empathy will affect a workplace environment.
Building a dedicated team based on empathy takes time and a little practice.
How Empathy Builds Connection in the Workplace
The first way empathy builds connection in the workplace is loyalty. Loyalty means to have strong support or allegiance toward something. When you empathize with your team, you show them that they are not a machine that warms a seat and earns a profit.
Empathy toward your team tells them that you know them, and you know that they are people, just like you. And when you treat your team members like people and not machines, they will offer their loyalty to you in return.
The second way empathy builds connection in the workplace is through unity. Unity means to come together as a whole, as a team. Your team members will unify when they feel appreciated, heard, and their leaders understand who they are. They will clock in with smiles on their faces and feel secure on days when life weighs them down.
When you have a unified team that is loyal to their company, you have a well-oiled machine that will take care of itself (for the most part).
But people must be led into loyalty and unification. So how do you apply empathy to leadership?
How Do You Show Empathy in the Workplace?
As previously stated, empathy is not a trait you can learn by playing a simple office game.
The best way to apply empathy to your team and teach them to pass it on? Practice by doing. Lead by example, and your team will follow. The following tips will help you lead your team empathetically.
Be present
Being present during the good and troubled times is one of the best ways to practice empathy. When tragedy strikes your team, be there with open arms. If a team member is experiencing a rough patch in his life, offer a helping hand.
Our personal lives affect our professional lives. Some days are great, and some are not. Be there for your team on the good days and the dark days.
Listen
People want others to listen. They want to know someone isn’t waiting for their turn to talk. An empathetic leader is a leader who listens. Put your email away and look your team member in the eye. Don’t speak. You will be amazed at how far a listening ear will go.
Don’t fix the problem
Not every problem needs fixing. And not every problem is your problem to fix. Sometimes people need to vent. All you can say is “I’m so sorry. Let me know if I can do anything to help.”
You can always ask, “Might I make a suggestion?” but most often, the problem doesn’t need fixing. What's needed is a listening ear.
Don’t compare
The last thing your team wants is for you to compare your struggles to theirs. When your team is overwhelmed about their workload, don’t say, “You should see the pile on my desk. Be happy your problems aren’t mine.”
When we compare other people’s struggles to our own, it sends a message that we are only thinking about ourselves. Be understanding, and don’t compare.
An empathetic leader is a leader who listens.
Your Part
Building an ardent team based on empathy takes time and a little practice.
But the results will speak for themselves. Your team will be empowered by a leader who listens, removes himself from the equation, and remembers his team for who they are and what they can accomplish.
Implementing empathy to your team boils down to one thing: people and how you treat them.
Apply these skills to your team and let us know what happens.
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Alexandra Elinsky, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dr. Elinsky lives to support professionals of all levels from all walks of life to book a call on her calendar, use this link – https://calendly.com/teamempoweryou/60min Dr. Alexandra Elinsky has a Ph.D. in Industrial Organization Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and is a trained Executive Coach, Corporate Trainer, and Researcher. Dr. Elinsky is the owner/founder of Empower Human Potential LLC and owns/operates another event planning business that builds confidence and leadership skills in children and teenagers. Dr. Elinsky has 10+ years of professional business and corporate experience and has built both of her businesses from the ground up with nothing short of patience.
