HR

Why is Empathetic Leadership needed in the Workplace?

Published On
Oct 29, 2021
Read Time
4 Minutes
Author
OnBlick Inc

Companies must develop and hire the best managers and leaders during times of stress and opportunity. Empathy is one of the essential skills that leaders today should possess. Empathetic managers can help improve human interactions and communication, thereby leading to better performance and positive outcomes.

This article discusses the significance of empathy and explains how businesses can improve empathetic leadership.

Empathy at the Workplace

Empathy, being the ability to sense the feelings of other people, allows us to recognize and respond to the emotions of others. For example, empathetic managers understand the needs of others by recognizing a difficult time or a team member struggling with a particular issue. Empathy is a unique aspect of emotional intelligence. Empathetic leaders are good at creating a culture of collaboration instead of competition, thereby making it one of the inevitable qualities of a great company.

Traits of an Empathetic Manager

• Empathetic managers listen to others because they want to understand them, which helps them feel recognized and heard.

• An empathetic manager has a deep interest in the well-being of his/her team members.

• These leaders help the company understand the feelings and challenges of its employees and offers the best circumstances for them to make more profit.

• Empathetic managers genuinely care for and support coworkers. They gain a connection of trust with the workforce, ensuring the best performance.

• According to leadership theories, the ability to exhibit empathy is vital for transformational leaders. Empathetic managers develop a better understanding of people's perspectives and help them achieve success.

How to be an Empathetic Manager?

Empathy is a trait that can be acquired by constantly listening attentively and being aware of surroundings.

1. Sound mind: Mental health should be a priority for an empathetic leader. Unfortunately, many people assume that their private mental state has nothing to do with their performance. However, the mental state influences many things that happen in a work environment.

2. Good ears: One can be more empathetic by taking time to listen to their team members and ask them questions. Also, look out for body language signs that indicate interest in what they are doing. You should not only hear what the employees say but also listen to them.

3. Lead by example: As a leader, their job is to promote team building and empathy. It means being present for the team members and encouraging them to develop these behaviors. They can be a model for others to follow.

4. Spot any issues and dissolve them: A leader should be intuitive. They spot a red flag, deal with it as a team and then create a context that enables the team to thrive. Try to be keen and avoid conflicts by working together.

5. Understand the reasons: It can be easy to judge an employee's actions when they first appear. Instead of being harsh, try to move past the initial judgments and listen to the employee's reasons for doing something. Never judge; instead, take time to know the reasons.

6. Be a learner and lead: As a leader, it is crucial that they develop a passion for learning and implementing new ideas. It comes from encouraging others to participate and think outside the box. Step out to learn more often and lead.

Working with an Empathetic Manager

• Employees feel valued and included when they are part of an empathetic team.

• Team members are motivated and empowered by their relationship with each other. This atmosphere helps them develop their best selves.

• Employee happiness and mental health are higher quality when employees feel valued and supported at work.

• Employees who feel cared for and supported by their managers feel more relaxed in the workplace.

• They know that their superiors are there to help them when they have a hard time.

• Knowing that their manager has their back allows workers to focus more on their work and less on protecting themselves.

• An empathetic workplace enables its employees to focus on their duties and projects without being afraid to ask for help or ask for advice.

• An empathetic company can create a better outcome for its customers and employees.

• An environment where people are genuinely valued and respected is a place of success. It starts with an empathetic leader and an empathetic team.

What is it like to Work in a Non-Empathetic Environment?

• A company that does not take adequate care of its staff members' mental health will cause stress and dissatisfaction. It leads to poor quality of life for employees.

• It is a common characteristic to have overworked workers in a company without empathetic managers. Selfishness creeps in and causes an unhealthy and lousy workplace. This behavior refers to the feeling of being endangered.

• Low levels of employee engagement and dissatisfaction lead to poor productivity.

• When employees feel that their company is not kind to them, they feel dissatisfied and less productive. It causes a decrease in the quality of their work.

• This, in turn, results in a lot of unsatisfied customers. Lack of empathy is, in part, what makes a company so hostile.

Summing Up

Research has found a positive correlation between empathy and work performance. HR experts believe that managers with higher levels of empathy not only perform well but also encourage high performing teams. We hope this article helps your company nurture more empathetic leaders who are genuinely interested in the betterment of their team members.

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