Being empathetic is one of the most important skills you can have in the workplace, which can help you improve your communication and develop strong relationships with your clients and colleagues.
According to a study on workplace empathy by businessolver, 76% of employees believe the presence of empathy inspires more motivated employees. Having this knowledge can also help you avoid conflict and build strong relationships. Being able to relate to others is a vital building block for developing solid relationships.
It is especially during the tough times that companies must hire and develop influential and empathetic leaders and managers. Doing so requires them to look beyond traditional management development methods and focus on developing the most critical skills for their success. One such vital leadership skill in the workplace is empathy.
Why we believe empathy is important in a workplace
Empathizing with others in the workplace allows us to build a deeper understanding of them. This ability can also help us work together by knowing each one’s values, cultural insights, backgrounds, and perspectives. It can help us increase team productivity and improve our relationships with our co-workers.
Empathy at work:
- Improves communication
- Encourages creative thinking
- Strengthens work relationships
- Increases investment and sales opportunities
- Provides better customer service
- Impacts job interviews
Incorporating empathy in company culture – Some tips
You may feel hesitant to show empathy at first. It could be because you’re afraid it will affect you or because you’re unsure how to act. However, this shouldn’t mean that you’re doomed to fail.
You must put aside your biases and see things from another person’s perspective to effectively use empathy. For instance, if you see unreasonable or emotional behavior at first glance, it could be because of a person’s prior experiences or knowledge.
Here are a few techniques we recommend to our team that can help them build empathy-
Be all ears
Use your gut instinct, eyes, and ears to listen to what’s being said to you. It will allow you to interpret the message that’s being communicated. Before you start talking to someone, please take a look at the keywords and phrases they use. Then, think about how they’re saying and what they’re saying. For instance, are they scared or angry?
Using an empathic approach will allow you to take this conversation further. Don’t try to ask direct questions and be flexible when talking about the other person’s feelings or thoughts. Also, prepare for the possibility of the conversation changing as the other person’s feelings and opinions change.
Consider others’ perspectives
Before criticizing someone, take the time to walk a mile in their shoes. It allows you to examine your perspective and make an unbiased assessment. Focusing too much on your beliefs and assumptions can leave you with little space for empathy. After you have seen why others believe the way they do, you can begin to acknowledge it. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to agree with it. Instead, be respectful and listen to what the other person says.
When you’re in doubt, ask the other person to describe their position on the issue. Doing so will allow you to understand their perspective better and make an unbiased assessment.
Act accordingly
There is no single way to show compassion. It depends on the situation and the individual’s emotional state. Acting on behalf of the other person is very important, as it shows that you care about their needs and wants.
You may be able to help a team member who’s struggling to focus on their work due to a problem at home by telling them that they can work from home. However, it’s also possible that work can give them a much-needed break from their thoughts about the situation.
Seeing the world through various perspectives is a great talent, and you can use it in any situation. In addition to being able to help a team member, you can also make a difference by performing random acts of kindness.
Being able to smile and take the time to remember the names of people is also a great way to show empathy.
Life at Ascentt
Empathy will help you develop a reputation as a trustworthy, approachable, and caring individual—moreover, a great asset to your team and organization. At Ascentt, we strongly believe in the skills that make us more human in this tech era.
We understand and encourage our people to learn, possess, and exhibit this emotional intelligence skill. We emphasize the below three stages of empathy:
- Cognitive empathy – to be aware of the other person’s emotional state.
- Emotional empathy – to engage with and share those emotions.
- Compassionate empathy – take action to support other people and improve their well-being.
Come join us!
Although most of us are confident in our technical abilities, we may feel inadequate when developing our interpersonal skills. It is because many people are afraid to discuss their feelings with others. Understanding other people’s emotions is fundamental in the workplace. Empathy will help you develop a reputation as a trustworthy, approachable, and caring individual—moreover, a great asset to your team and organization.
Be a part of our exciting team and let your next adventure begin here. Visit: http://www.ascentt.com/career/