Why empathy is the ultimate management tool
WHAT IS EMPATHY?
Empathy is our capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing. By putting ourselves in their position, it allows us to connect with others, and to understand another's perspective or mental state.
Empathy is a biological imperative; many studies have documented examples of empathy in many members of the mammalian family. Examples include dolphins saving humans from drowning and from shark attacks, or dogs helping humans when being attacked.
As kids, we start showing signs of empathy as early as 18 months to two years, even when we do not possess some of our cognitive abilities that define us as human.
Modern neuroscience has showed us the mechanism that allows for this incredible ability; mirror neurons. A mirror neuron is a neuron that fires when an individual behaves, and when the individual sees the same behavior performed by another individual.
But even though it seems to be crucial to our nature, cultural norms and common beliefs have diminished our ability to feel empathy for one another. Like many of our skills, the lack of practice weakens our ability, and empathy works in the same way; requiring constant exposure to the emotional burden of someone else’s experience to remain useful.
WHEN WE LOSE OUR EMPATHY
Empathy requires a strong grasp of vulnerability to be effective, which is not common or easy to do.
When we do not practice empathy, we’re less likely to be self-aware and open which brings counterproductive behaviors like:
Often finding yourself in long discussions
Forming opinions early and defending them vigorously
Thinking that other people are overly sensitive
Refusing to listen to other points of view
Blaming others for mistakes
Not listening when being spoken to
Holding grudges and having difficulty to forgive
Inability to work in a team
WHEN WE PRACTICE OUR EMPATHY
When empathy is reinforced, it provides a range of abilities that are helpful for our professional and personal life. We start being able to:
Quickly resolve issues or arguments
Easily evolve your opinions
Understand other people’s emotions
See other’s perspectives
Take responsibility for your shortcomings
Be a better listener
Let go of grudges
Be a better team player
WHY IT HELPS ORGANIZATIONS
A more empathic work culture promotes individuals to be more receptive, attentive and collaborative and in turn translates into:
SMOOTHER OPERATIONS
Improved communications between co-workers means less friction between teams, and information lost in translation
CONNECTION AND LOYALTY
Improved connectivity makes interpersonal relationships stronger and makes team members more loyal to each other
INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY
The empathy-altruism relationship makes co-workers more likely to cooperate and help each other with obstacles
MORE INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS
More open and compassionate minded co-workers provide a more tolerant environment, and are more understanding of our differences
HOW YOU CAN BRING EMPATHY TO YOUR WORKPLACE
BE VULNERABLE
Present yourself authentically, share your experience and emotions
BE COMPASSIONATE
Take your co-worker’s wellbeing into consideration in your decision making
START AN INTERNAL CULTURE CHANGE
Educate and train your teams to be more empathic by hiring holistic business services like ours to help you evolve your corporate culture.
