The Importance of Empathy in the Workplace

Nothing can motivate an employee more than a true human connection. Empathy in the workplace is a skill that allows one to relate to others' emotions, thoughts, & experiences. 

An empathetic work setting encourages office staff to understand each other's perspectives and react with kindness.

Why is Empathy Important in the Workplace?

An empathetic work setting can improve more than just work performance. So, check out why it's high time to train your employees to become empathic.

• Higher employee satisfaction due to empathetic office colleagues’ leads to higher and retention rates
• A workplace that integrates emotional intelligence in its firms outperforms its opponents.
• Companies with empathic leadership attract talented individuals & loyal customers.
• Workplaces with empathetic work cultures have more productive and happy employees.
• An empathic workplace setting reduces the risks of cultural biases fostering unity.
• Empathy among office staff makes them feel safe during failures. They learn to take responsibility when the fear of being blamed is less.
• Empathy encourages managers to understand the cause of the poor performance of staff rather than blaming them. 
• Empathetic leaders help struggling employees improve and excel, bringing the success of a company. 

How to Increase Empathy at the Workplace?

A report revealed that 76% of workers believe an empathetic company motivates its employees. Besides, many employees think that employer-provided empathy training is crucial. So, why? Here are some tips to increase empathy in your office.

• Stop speaking, start listening

It is okay to speak up & be clear about what you want to do when it comes to a work task. However, being patient and listening to another co-workers side of the conversation is crucial. If you make your team valued, this will lead to a more optimistic workplace setting. 

• Train yourself to become empathetic overtime 

You cannot start to empathize with colleagues overnight like magic. Therefore, to train your brain to be empathetic towards others, start reading and researching. You can read those books & articles online for learning to open your heart and mind to office pals. 

• Invest time in the office skills training

Little help from experts can take you a long way. Therefore, join workplace ethics training to become a proactive and efficient team worker. 

• Work with your team and endorse collaborations.

Working with your Co-workers, appreciating their efforts, & listening to their problems is crucial. If you spend a day in the office, understanding others' workload, you will be able to empathize with their challenges too.

• Recognize bias and try to avoid it

Understanding your own bias is vital to boost empathy towards other employees. If you never make decisions based on prejudices, your ability to empathize will increase. Therefore, never dismiss someone's opinions because of your assumptions of how they might behave. 

• Don't go overboard with fixing others work issues

It is wise to listen to your colleague's work issues and help them out in certain situations. However, constantly trying to fix someone else's work problem can make them feel undeserving. Therefore, give them advice but remember, it is not your duty to do others' work. 

• Don't hesitate to show your emotions to other employees 

When employees share worries, work issues, stories, etc., with the team, they show trust & vulnerability. However, they expect others to open up as well. Therefore, being honest and opening up with others is crucial to encourage kindness in the office.

• Never try to benefit from the empathy of office pals. 

Many employees often take advantage of their empathetic teammates. Well, it is wrong & doesn't facilitate a good work culture. Therefore, reward colleagues with returned empathy rather than taking their work responsibilities.

• Stop being Judgmental 

Just because a co-worker is struggling with the work doesn't mean he is undeserving. Therefore, rather than being rude, talk openly to your office mates and strive to inquire about their issues empathetically.

• Take workplace ethics and team Building Seriously. 

Promoting team-building, boosting bonds with colleagues, & building honest workplace relationships is the best way to strengthen workplace empathy.

• Take small steps to create a big difference

Your attitude at the office can have a massive impact on your team as well. Even small displays of empathy can develop trustworthiness in your colleagues. Therefore, show interest in your colleague's lives, and they will begin to do the same too.

Benefits of Empathy at the Workplace 

82% of CEOs think that the financial performance of a company is associated with empathy. Yes. A workplace that promotes empathy never faces violence among co-workers. When workers empathize with others' work issues, they lend a helping hand. It is vital for businesses & helps workers deliver high-quality services. It also encourages employees to uphold the company's mission and its goals.

What more? 

• Empathy increases the productivity of a team.

50% of CEOs believe that empathy is a powerful source of productivity and motivation. It is why most companies today allow employees to participate in office skills training courses on company time. 

• Empathy brings the advantage of productive collaboration.

Most successful companies believe in teamwork and give equal importance to each employee. Empathy in office space allows workers to be engaged & authentic. An office where colleagues show concern towards others has happy workers. When every worker feels respected, they share their knowledge and ideas openly. Now, this develops collective intelligence grows & helps workers render better results.

• Empathy improves cultural competence

Positive relationships in an office come from compassion, respect, and trust among workers. As empathy attracts empathy in return, it encourages non-judgemental behavior. In addition, empathetic listening helps co-workers find common ground, which leads to positive interracial interactions. Result? Boost in cultural competence & lessened workplace bullying.

• An empathetic work setting means higher customer satisfaction

How a company interacts with its customers shapes its stature. People are likely to trust in the services of a company that has empathetic employees. When an employee shows attention and kindness towards a customer, it builds loyalty. It is the reason why both customers and workers love empathic work settings. 

• Empathy helps to build strong leadership

If your leaders are empathetic towards workers, your teams get the motivation to do their best. An empathic work setting helps workers to acknowledge others' contributions. It develops a shared vision, promotes teamwork, and enhances dedication towards work. 

• Workplace empathy gives your company a competitive advantage

With technological improvements, today, most organizations rely on machines rather than humans. However, new tech-based tools cannot represent the values of your company like an employee. Therefore, your employees must show compassion and kindness to stand out from the crowd. 

Quick Tips to Show Empathy at the Workplace

• Invest time in finding out the signs of excess work pressure in your employees and be supportive. 
•  Reward employees when they perform well in work and be appreciative.
• Show curiosity about the office plus personal lives, the dreams of co-workers, and try to fulfill their needs.
• Always be willing to help an employee with personal problems and build relationships with them beyond the office. 
• Comfort others and be compassionate when your colleagues disclose a personal loss.
• Promote team-building activities where co-words learn to listen to others.
• Teach empathy to teammates by helping them to join office training.

Are you looking forward to learning how to improve empathy at your workplace? Get the best empathy training, diversity-training, & sexual-harassment-training at Get impactly now.