In a time when many employees contemplate leaving and some actually leave their present jobs due to the lack of a supportive environment, emphasizing empathy at the workplace is a must. Here are some ways in which you can create an empathic environment where you work.
1. Listen To Your Colleagues
Effort and intention is needed to effectively listen to your co-workers. Each email, phone call, text message and face-to-face conversation with them has to be given full attention. The better you listen to them the quicker issues at workplace can be resolved.
2. Ask The Right Questions
Once you’ve heard a colleague’s concern, it’s important to direct the conversation in a fulfilling direction by asking the right questions. These questions are a way of saying, “I have fully heard your concerns. Now how can I help you? How can we resolve this?”
3. Step Into Their Shoes
Someone who works in the HR department has a very different day from someone who toils in the Sales section. So before offering advice, make sure you understand and feel what your colleague is going through. Their plate might look very different from yours.
4. Don’t Assume, Ask
If you feel that a new hire is pretending to be confused so that he can get away from the task, ask them what it is that is making them feel uncomfortable about the task. Don’t automatically assume that they are trying to evade after all it’s always good to clarify. Maybe they want to do the task but are skeptical about their abilities; in that case offer them your support and guidance.
5. Empathy is a Process
An empathic environment is not built overnight. Little efforts on a daily basis churn out a workplace that is safe, warm and supportive. So keep your patience levels high when embarking on this journey.
