Why do we need Empathetic Managers?

Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s experience in their context.

In the workplace, managers need to be able to communicate, motivate and empower their team members, none of which is possible without a healthy dose of empathy. Unfortunately, empathy is an often-overlooked skill.

Before looking into the most important benefits of empathy, it’s important to understand that empathy and sympathy (sometimes used interchangeably) are different things. Sympathy refers to sharing the other person’s emotions. Empathy, on the other hand, is understanding where the other person is coming from and as a manager, helping them take the right steps to achieve goals and resolve problems.

Improve communication

Practicing empathy enables managers to communicate better within their teams and across teams.

People are more receptive to communication in the manner that they communicate with others. For example, people who are more data-oriented are more likely to respond favorably when you communicate using facts and data. On the other hand, people who are more emotion-oriented need to know how something will help the project or the team before they say ‘yes’ to an idea.

Forge connections

The above was just one example of empathy in action.

Empathy is one of the most fundamental abilities humans possess. A greater understanding of others and their circumstances serves as a strong foundation for forging connections between individuals, especially in a team. A greater understanding of others will naturally increase the level of trust within a team, yielding greater efficiency and productivity.

Have you noticed how managers, who use storytelling in team meetings or corporate events, have better bonds with team members? That is another example of empathy in action.

Improved communication leads to better team engagement based, and hence, stronger connections within the teams. Increased engagement also results in better retention, so practicing empathy also can offer the practical benefit of reducing attrition and hiring costs.

An interactive empathy training with corporate roleplay actors can inspire your managers to practice and encourage empathy in real-life scenarios within their teams.

Support diversity

Practicing empathy allows managers to appreciate different perspectives, based on diverse backgrounds, experiences, and personalities. It also allows them to modify their communication based on those differences. Being empathetic and fostering empathy in your teams can help develop an inclusive team dynamic. As our workplaces become increasingly diverse, this is one of the most important benefits of empathy.

Resolve Conflicts

Many team managers struggle with conflict resolution. Conflicts can be resolved faster when managers and team leaders can look at the situation from the other person’s perspective. Since practicing empathy helps you do just that, it is easier to have healthy conversations to resolve differences and find common ground.

Stimulates creativity

Empathy does not only create more cohesive teams but also sets the table for greater creativity and innovation. When teams can put themselves in the place of your clients or customers, products and services can be customized to solve their problems and address their pain points. When your customer-facing teams practice empathy, it can improve customer service and foster a better brand image.

An increasing number of leaders and managers are appreciating the importance of empathy as a critical skill. Practicing empathy is also the first step in developing other leadership qualities to successfully lead your teams and organization over the long haul.

The global business actor teams at Peers and Players are experts in impact and presence, with business experience and coaching skills. They bring training to life with their drama-based, interactive corporate training that empowers leaders, and facilitate team communication and collaboration, higher retention, improved revenue, and long-term client satisfaction