The Benefits of Empathy in the Workplace

As businesses focus spend on marketing and expansion, empathy in the workplace is often overlooked. It's no wonder that staff turnover is at an all-time high. In December 2021 alone, an estimated 4.3 million employees in America left their jobs. This brought the year's total to 47.4 million people seeking new opportunities to find Career Success.

Many factors led to the Great Resignation and shaped the recent employment landscape. But a lack of empathetic work environments is a major reason employees consider a change.

Let's look at the State of Workplace Empathy study. 93% of employees say they'd stay in their current role if their employer were empathetic. 82% say they'd leave their current jobs if they got work at a more empathetic company.

Everyone in your organization wants to feel valued, respected and heard. Without empathy, teams are unlikely to reach their full potential — and for individuals, it impacts their ability to achieve Career Success. This is regardless of how exceptional their hard skills are. Let's discuss what empathy is and why it should characterize every workplace.

What is empathy?

Empathy is the ability to understand and share another person's feelings. It's often confused with sympathy. But sympathy involves offering support or pity in response to someone's misfortune. In contrast, empathy goes beyond. It's being able to connect with them on a deeper level. It enables you to put yourself in their shoes and understand why they feel the way they do.

It's important to understand that everyone is responsible for empathy in the workplace. Your leaders, and colleagues all play a role in creating an empathetic workplace. One where people feel seen and heard. With empathy at the core, you'll be able to build stronger teams and achieve success.

Now that we've defined empathy, let's explore why it's so critical in the workplace. We'll look at how this soft skill helps business leaders meet business goals. And how empathy in the workplace helps employees achieve Career Success.

Why Business Leaders Should Show Empathy in the Workplace

An estimated 84% of CEOs say empathy enhances business outcomes. But exactly how does this happen?

They’ll make better decisions

Leaders are often tasked with making difficult decisions. Those decisions can greatly impact the people they work with. This means leaders must be able to empathize with those who will feel the effects of their choices. Take the time to understand how others are feeling and what they need. Make decisions that are more likely to be successful by listening and understanding.

Imagine you're a manager considering implementing a new policy. Employees will have to start working on weekends. Before making a final decision, you decide to speak with your team to get their input. You learn that many of your employees have young children at home. They rely on weekends to spend time with their families. Based on this new information, you decide to scrap the policy.

They’ll spot problems and opportunities earlier on

When leaders have empathy, they can see the world through their employees' eyes. This enables them to spot potential problems and opportunities they might otherwise miss.

Assume you're trying to improve team productivity. You might start by looking at data and metrics, but you'll only get so far with this approach. If you want to understand what's going on, you need to speak with your team and find out how they're feeling. You might learn that your employees feel overwhelmed by tight deadlines. You can then take steps to reduce stress and help them feel more supported.

They’ll build stronger teams

Leaders who show empathy build trust and respect among their team members. Employees feel appreciated and valued, which leads to increased engagement and motivation. As a result, teams are more likely to be productive and successful.

A good example is when you want to build a stronger team. You need to show empathy and understanding when your team members make mistakes. Instead of getting angry or reprimanding them, you take the time to listen to their side of the story. This shows your employees that you care about them. And that you are willing to work with them instead of against them. As a result, your team starts to work together with more efficiency.

They’ll embrace hiring for diversity

In today's business world, having a diverse workforce is essential. But simply hiring a more diverse workforce isn't enough. Leaders must also create an environment where everyone feels comfortable and respected. To do that, there needs to be evidence of diversity at every level of the company.

Empathetic leaders are more likely to embrace hiring for diversity. They understand the importance of having a variety of perspectives on their team. By valuing different opinions and backgrounds, these leaders create an inclusive environment. This allows all employees to thrive.

You might start by looking for qualified candidates from underrepresented groups. Create an environment where everyone feels welcome and respected. This might include setting up mentorship programs or offering training on unconscious bias.

They’ll become more effective communicators

Leaders who show empathy are better able to communicate with those around them. When you understand how someone is feeling, it's easier to explain things in a way that they'll understand. This helps to avoid misunderstandings and conflict.

Let's say you're a CEO looking to communicate a new company policy. Start by explaining the reasoning behind the changes. How will they benefit the company?

Don't stop there. Take the time to understand how your employees feel about the changes. This allows you to address any concerns they might have and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Why Employees Need to Cultivate Empathy in the Workplace

They’ll build stronger relationships with colleagues

When employees show empathy, they build trust and respect with their colleagues. This leads to more productive and positive relationships. Employees who can empathize with others are also better able to resolve conflicts.

Imagine working on a project with a colleague who's having some personal problems. Instead of getting frustrated, you take the time to understand how they're feeling. This helps you to be more patient and understanding, which makes it easier to work together.

They’ll gain more resiliency

Employees who can empathize with others are more resilient in the face of adversity. They're better able to cope with stress and setbacks. This is because they understand that everyone goes through tough times. Empathy also helps employees build a support network at work. When people feel supported, they're more likely to persevere through challenges.

How to Cultivate Empathy in the Workplace

The importance of empathy in the workplace is undeniable. But how can you cultivate it if you're not naturally empathetic?

Leverage the Power of Technology

You're already using tech to communicate, so why not use it to practice empathy? There are some online tools that can help you understand how someone feels.

CaringBridge is a great example. This app allows people to share health updates with friends and family. This gives others a better understanding of what they're going through. It also allows them to offer support.

Through the development of empathetic AI, people can now review messages for tone and emotion. This can help you to see how others might interpret your words. It also allows you to make adjustments so that your message is clear and respectful.

Encourage Conversations in the Workplace

Cultivate empathy by encouraging conversations about important topics. This could be through lunch-and-learns, town halls, or even casual after-hours conversations. Be respectful of people’s boundaries, but encourage openness.

When people feel comfortable sharing their experiences, they're more likely to feel heard. This helps to build understanding and respect between colleagues. It also allows people to see that everyone has different perspectives and experiences. Creating a sense of community is crucial in a successful workplace. It also fosters even more empathy!

Model Empathy in Your Words and Actions

As a leader, you can set the tone for the entire workplace. If you want to encourage empathy, ensure you're modeling it in your words and actions. It's also important to be aware of your nonverbal communication. Your body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice can all convey empathy. So make sure you're sending the right message with your actions as well as your words.

Invest in Expert Career Coaching

Learning a new skill can be difficult, especially if you're not a natural. That's where a Career Coach comes in.

A career coach can help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses. They can also provide guidance on how to improve your empathy skills. This may include role-playing exercises, listening exercises, or giving and receiving feedback.

If you want to invest in your professional development, expert career coaching is a great way to do it. It's an investment that will pay off in the long run, both for you and your team!

Set Your Company Apart Through a Culture of Empathy

Do you feel like empathy is not something everyone in your workplace shows or receives? Want to get better at showing empathy to colleagues? Need advice on how to foster empathy amongst your team members? Your career coaches at Uvaro can help change the situation.

Download our Career Success Catalog today. Learn how we can help transform empathy in the workplace for you!