What Empathy in the Workplace Actually Looks Like

I’ll be the first to say that empathy is a trait that hasn’t always come naturally to me. It’s not that I’m an apathetic person, but for a long time, I approached business interactions and conversations with a “get to the point” mindset. It’s easy to get caught up in being busy, but as I’ve learned over the years, we need empathy in the workplace now more than ever. That means making time for feelings, the good, bad, and ugly. But what does empathy in the workplace look like? And how can we as leaders better practice it??

What is empathy in the workplace??

I like this quote from the Center for Creative Leadership: “Empathy in the context of the workplace simply means that your people are able to establish true, empathetic connections with one another that enhance relationships and performance.” It’s about showing a real interest in people - their hopes, goals, and needs - and being willing to help them achieve them.?

While it seems like a no-brainer, building an empathetic work environment can be challenging. According to a new study on empathy in the workplace, only 69% of employees say their organizations are empathetic, down from 72% last year. What’s more, 79% of CEOs say they struggle to be empathetic, with many worried they’ll lose respect if they show ‘too much’ empathy.?

But here’s the thing, the most successful leaders are the ones who go above and beyond simple management and harness the power of empathy. As Marcel Schwantes explains, these leaders “think about their team's circumstances, understand their challenges and frustrations, and know that those emotions are every bit as real as their own. This helps develop perspective and opens team members to helping one another.”

So how do we get there?

The good news is, empathy is something we can learn with enough practice and active participation. Practicing empathy means going beyond simply striving to understand each other’s difference. It means truly putting yourself into someone else’s shoes and letting go of any biases you may be holding (consciously or subconsciously). This piece from FastCompany highlights 3 questions leaders can bring to their interactions.?

One particular question, “What are they displaying to you” is a bit trickier to answer if you’re not working face-to-face with your team. I’ve personally found success in asking people directly about their facial and body signals to help them feel more comfortable opening up. When communicating, I also try to put myself in their shoes to tailor my messaging in a way that will hopefully resonate with them.

Harnessing the power of empathy

Empathy truly has the power to transform and disrupt industries for the better. In healthcare, for example, new innovations in empathetic tech are helping to reduce bias and improve patient experiences. At Divurgent, our mission is to create an environment where empathy can flourish across our company and our customers. Because where empathy is found, creativity and innovation can thrive.