There are human qualities or soft skills, as they are known in the workplace, that are essential for the proper functioning of teams, such as empathy, which allows us to put ourselves in our colleague’s shoes. Many companies already understand the importance of working on empathy through team-building activities, and the results are very positive.
And you? Do you consider yourself empathetic enough to work in a team? In this post, we share the most fun initiatives that some leading companies in their sector are already carrying out. Take note and put them into practice in your work environment!
Why is it so important to work on empathy in work teams?
Working on empathy is gaining prominence in the business environment, as it has been proven to bring great benefits both to the human team and productivity. There are key pieces to generate a good work environment, and perhaps this is the most important one, even more than motivation. However, both aspects are closely related and often overlap.
Is it necessary for a highly motivated employee to step over another to achieve their goals? How can we motivate some while considering the needs of others? Questions like these are what experts in psychology and human resources try to solve daily to improve interpersonal relationships among workers.
Thus, empathy has become one of the most valued qualities for reasons such as these:
- Empathy improves communication between employees and hierarchies.
- It fosters a positive environment and makes all members feel more comfortable and able to develop freely.
- It improves workplace relationships.
- It boosts productivity while curbing excessive ambition, thus preventing some employees from feeling uncomfortable or leaving the company.
- It helps resolve conflicts constructively.
- With empathy, it is possible to understand and consider all points of view and make the most advantageous decisions for everyone.
14 Exercises and Habits to Develop Empathy in the Workplace
Now that you know why empathy should never be forgotten in the workplace, let’s look at some examples of how to work on it.
- Active listening: pay full attention to others when they speak, without interrupting or judging, and show interest in what they are saying.
- Practice cognitive empathy: try to understand and comprehend the viewpoints and perspectives of others, even if you don’t agree with them.
- Put yourself in the other person’s shoes: imagine how you would feel if you were in the other person’s situation. This will help you develop a deeper understanding of their emotions and experiences.
- Observe body language: pay attention to non-verbal cues such as tone of voice, gestures, and facial expressions. These will give you clues about others’ emotions and moods.
- Practice emotional empathy: acknowledge and validate others’ emotions. Show understanding and support when someone is going through a difficult time.
- Promote diversity and inclusion: value and respect individual differences in the company. Encourage an environment where everyone feels accepted and valued.
- Practice recognition: appreciate others’ contributions. This will make them feel valued and promote an atmosphere of trust and mutual support.
- Encourage open communication: foster an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas, opinions, and concerns. Listen carefully and show respect for all voices.
- Provide constructive feedback: when you give feedback, do it respectfully and considerately. Focus on the person’s growth and development.
- Practice empathy in conflict situations: try to understand the perspectives of all parties involved in a conflict. Look for solutions that benefit everyone and avoid unnecessary confrontations.
- Do reflection exercises: take time to reflect on your own emotions and how they may influence your interactions with others. This will help you develop greater empathy toward others.
- Participate in personal development programs: attend workshops, courses, or conferences focused on developing emotional skills and empathy. These activities will provide you with tools and techniques to cultivate empathy in your professional life.
- Try to be a role model: practice empathy in your own behavior and set an example for others. When others see you showing empathy, they are more likely to follow your example.
Meet the 8 Leading Spanish Companies in Corporate Health
You’ve probably heard of the Great Place to Work ranking and the annual awards given by the institute of the same name to companies with the best workplace well-being according to their employees. Each ranking, made up of 25 companies, is published in its respective country, and to participate, companies must have more than ten employees and conduct an anonymous survey among them on five dimensions: credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. This year, the list of Spanish companies with more than 1,000 employees that are the best places to work is led by these eight entities: Lilly S.A, DHL Express Spain, Reale Seguros Generales, PELAYO, Banca March, JYSK, Mediamarkt Iberia, GFT Consulting S.L.U.
And you may wonder: What do these companies do to earn the prestigious Great Place to Work seal? It’s simple! They practice active listening through employee feedback to improve emotional compensation, which includes flexible hours, remote work, medical insurance, family conciliation support, intensive or reduced workdays, and many other things that make employees’ lives easier.
As you can see, empathy is a basic factor from which the happiness and satisfaction of each team member stem. If you also agree and try to practice empathy daily, don’t miss our upcoming posts on the Educa.Pro blog, where we’ll delve deeper into professional and personal development areas.
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