Empathy is a powerful tool for connecting interpersonal relationships. So it's only right that it should be a fundamental skill to develop in the workplace.
There is a lot of talk about the importance of interpersonal relationships at work. However, few attribute the building of these relationships to an extremely human act - but one that is little used in the professional sphere: empathy.
In addition, a few who approach or think about empathy end up taking the action to another side: "hugging trees".
The truth is that empathy has nothing to do with "hugging trees" or even less to do with putting yourself aside to look at the other person.
Another truth is that very few people understand what empathy is. In fact, over the years, its meaning has evolved, especially as psychosocial studies and analyses have evolved.
However, we now have enough data and grounding to develop empathy in a more concrete and grounded way.
It's also worth remembering that even though empathy is inherent in most human beings, it needs to be built and applied routinely so that it becomes naturalized over time.
Empathy is the ability to recognize another person's feelings. Not to feel what the other person feels. Recognize! In the workplace, this means actively listening, understanding the point of view of colleagues and acting in a way that improves collective well-being.
In other words, whether in a professional environment or not, empathy is the ability to be there for other people.
Therefore, empathy is truly an effective tool for strengthening employee engagement and creating an environment of mutual respect.
That's why empathy goes hand in hand with results.
There's no way to empathize with others if we're not empathetic with ourselves. After all, how can we be empathetic with others if we're overstepping our own boundaries? The truth is that, in these situations, there is no room for active listening.
Furthermore, unlike sympathy, empathy focuses on the other person. So we can only do this if our own cup isn't overflowing.
As already mentioned, empathy is the ability to recognize and be there for your colleague. In other words, it's not about putting yourself in the other person's shoes, advising, sympathizing or investigating.
It has to do with genuine curiosity, selfless interest and active listening.
For example, let's say someone comes to you to vent about something that's happening to them at work. You, for your part, will not diagnose or intervene.
On the contrary, you will listen attentively. You can ask if there's anything the person wants from you or if they'd like to share anything else.
This is also how gossip is stopped in the workplace.
Listening to oneself and to others is a gesture of care and the basis for strengthening personal and professional relationships.
Teams that work with this kind of care have much more room for exchange, for dealing with adversity and for solving problems.
In fact, teams that work on empathy on a daily basis have a high level of engagement, as communication is more open, conscious and healthy.
All this allows conflicts to be productive, always in search of the best solutions and resolutions.
Practice Active ListeningActive listening is the basis of empathy. This means paying genuine attention when someone else is talking, without interrupting or formulating a response ahead of time. Show that you are engaged through gestures and facial expressions that indicate interest.
Ask Open QuestionsEncourage your colleagues to share their perspectives. Asking open-ended questions, such as "How did you feel about that?" or "What do you think we could do differently?", creates opportunities for a deeper and more empathetic dialog.
Avoid rash judgmentsWhen listening to an opinion or feedback, avoid jumping to conclusions or making assumptions. Try to see the situation from the other person's point of view, understanding the context before forming an opinion.
Show Understanding: Expressing empathy verbally is also important. Phrases like "I understand what you're saying" or "It must have been a difficult situation for you" show that you value the feelings and experiences of others.
Offer supportThe best way to show empathy is simply to be there. Show that you are available to help and support your colleagues, even if it's just by listening to their concerns.
Be ConsistentEmpathy should not be a one-off practice. To really improve connections in the workplace, you need to exercise this skill constantly, in every interaction with your colleagues.
Applying empathy in the workplace brings significant benefits that are directly reflected in the company's results. Here are some ways in which empathy contributes to more effective performance:
Conflict Reduction Unproductive: Teams that practice empathy face fewer unproductive interpersonal conflicts, which leads to a more productive environment.
Greater Talent RetentionEmployees who feel valued and understood tend to stay with the company for longer, reducing turnover and the associated costs.
Increased ProductivityEmpathetic environments foster trust between team members, facilitating collaboration and, consequently, improving operational efficiency.
Improving Mental HealthEmpathy helps to create a workspace that prioritizes emotional well-being, reducing stress and preventing burnout.
We have training sessions focused on developing active listening and increasing team performance, read more:
