Publish at June 01 2021 Updated May 24 2022
How do you create a stimulating work climate? While this question has long been asked in educational settings, it is also present among business managers. Indeed, everyone is looking for employees to give their all to the company's mission. However, they must feel that they are an important part of the game and not just an interchangeable cog. This requires a management that humanizes each of its employees. To achieve this, it seems that one quality is necessary: empathy.
A quick reminder of what it is: it's the ability to put yourself in the other person's shoes, to become aware of what they're feeling and to grasp their point of view. It is all about understanding the other person and acceptance. This quality is in high demand among workers. A U.S. study by Catalyst shows that 93% of employees surveyed say they would stay at their job or company with an empathetic boss. Yet, they are still few and far between in adopting empathetic management. In France, research by the DDI laboratory indicates that only 40% demonstrate it.
For many, the lack of empathy among managers would be linked to a received idea that a sensitive boss is weak. Yet studies tend to show the opposite, that lack of empathy leads to more problems in the workplace. It causes more turnover, as people are willing to go elsewhere in order to be respected. Those who stay are often unmotivated and unproductive. Why would I kill myself for a boss who has no regard for my colleagues and myself? And the reverse is also true. Companies that are more empathetic and flexible would do much better business than their competitors in a traditional management model.
That's why more and more management experts believe that in the toolbox of skills to have, bosses will need empathy more than ever. They will need to be able to listen carefully and ask questions to learn about the true state of the individuals who work for them. They will need to master empathic communication so that they can better resolve conflicts, convince their team, and even deny them things but with emotional intelligence rather than just authority.
The question now is whether people can be taught empathy. Is it an innate or learned trait? In fact, it could be both according to scientists. The love hormone, oxytocin, is thought to impact empathy levels. Mirror neurons would also allow us to have more compassion and understanding of someone who acts in front of us. Is it possible to learn to be more empathetic? Yes, it is. However, holding mandatory workshops on empathy is likely to have an opposite effect. Researchers noted that imperative initiatives against sexual harassment or workplace diversity tended to create a sense of rebellion among participants. Those who did not adhere to these visions became more hostile to them than before.
However, this does not mean that trainings should not be implemented. Only that they should be voluntary. Also, it is entirely possible to become more empathetic. By taking a greater interest in other colleagues, improving one's listening skills, accepting points of view and learning to rephrase. Indeed, communicating with empathy verifies well what has been heard. Especially since people who are suffering or simply not in a good mood do not necessarily expect a litany of advice. So, rather than giving a thousand opinions about sleep to a fellow member who asserts their fatigue, rephrase what they said by adding a question that allows them to express how they feel and move toward a solution.
You also need to be aware of your biases. We all have them because humans categorize everything in their environment. So, it's best to know your possible biases and then be more aware of yourself and others. This will facilitate later communication with colleagues, bosses, family, etc. Finally, some may prefer online training modules. There are a few including this one of about 30 minutes on LinkedIn that goes over the topic of empathy in the workplace, how to develop it and work with this quality.
Illustration : krakenimages on Unsplash
References:
Barrau, Celine. "Empathy: Putting Yourself in the Place of the Other." Deviensquitues-var.com. Last updated May 19, 2020. https://deviensquitues-var.com/empathie-se-mettre-a-la-place-de-lautre/.
Gallo, Noella. "Is It Possible To Learn To Be More Empathetic?" Casper. Last updated July 7, 2020. https://examencasper.com/2020/07/empathie-2/.
Goerner, Carolyn. "The Importance of Empathy - Empathy at Work Video Tutorial | LinkedIn Learning, Formerly Lynda.com." LinkedIn. Last updated May 18, 2020. https://www.linkedin.com/learning/empathy-at-work/the-importance-of-empathy.
Gotian, Dr. Ruth. "Never Has There Been A More Critical Time To Show Empathy At Work." Forbes. Last updated May 18, 2020. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ruthgotian/2020/05/18/never-has-there-been-a-more-critical-time-to-show-empathy-at-work/?sh=56285a0324ab.
Granger, Raphaële. "Empathy, A Human Quality Sought By Businesses." Manager GO! Last updated March 30, 2021. https://www.manager-go.com/efficacite-professionnelle/empathie.htm.
"Empathy, The Leader's Asset Or Weakness?" Dynamics-Mag.com. Last updated March 31, 2021. https://www.dynamique-mag.com/article/empathie-atout-faiblesse-dirigeant.11068.
Mahadoo, Alvina. "Soft Skills: How to Cultivate Your Empathy at Work?" MyConnecting Formation. Last updated August 27, 2020. https://www.myconnecting.fr/formation/soft-skills-empathie-au-travail/.
"Empathetic Management: What Benefits For You And Your Company?" EDHEC Online. Last updated February 17, 2021. https://online.edhec.edu/fr/blog/management-empathique-avantages/.
McElhone, Jacqueline. "Empathy at Work-Why It (Really) Matters." Career Contessa. Last updated June 18, 2020. https://www.careercontessa.com/advice/empathy-at-work/.
Rogers, Kristen. "Empathy is Both a Trait and a Skill. Here's How to Strengthen It." CNN. Last updated June 24, 2020. https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/24/health/develop-empathy-skills-wellness/index.html.
"Why Empathy Is a Superpower in the Future of Work (Infographic)." Catalyst. Last updated October 5, 2020. https://www.catalyst.org/research/empathy-superpower-future-of-work/.
Williamson, Sue. "Why Empathy Training is Unlikely to Work." Phys.org. Last updated March 29, 2021. https://phys.org/news/2021-03-empathy.html.
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