Coaching Creates Empathy At Work
Photo by Proxyclick Visitor Management System on Unsplash
While juggling multiple roles and projects in the workplace, professionals often avoid or shorten essential conversations. Many conversations at work are conducted for personal gain, or to find the flaw or solution. Honest discussions about feelings are often frowned upon and viewed as inconvenient or a waste of time. Somewhere along the way, empathy became devalued in the work environment in exchange for greater efficiency and performance.
What is Empathy?
Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s emotions. It means putting yourself in the shoes of another and accepting what they are feeling and thinking. Empathy is not about agreeing (or disagreeing) with another’s feelings and views. It’s about the willingness to listen, care, and objectively consider what is shared.
How to be more empathetic at work?
Changing the nature of conversations is a desired goal for many of my coaching clients. Some clients want to become more empathetic at work. One approach I’ve invited clients to try is Pause, Feel, Reflect, and Choose.
Pause entails taking a breath and becoming silent for a few moments.
Feel consists of surveying the conversation. It requires you to tune into your emotions, physical sensations and energy. You may also be able to tune into another person’s emotions and energy.
Reflect encompasses asking yourself, “what’s going on in this conversation?” and considering your options in the moment.
Choose means making the best conscious choice to address the situation.
An employee applied this approach at work. The employee reported becoming more mindful and noticed an impulse to “sell” ideas. Using this approach, the employee listened to diverse ideas, shared a different perspective, and desired to help others. An inner shift occurred within the employee when co-workers complained. Instead of getting annoyed or judgmental, the employee contemplated what they may be experiencing.
The Value of Empathy
Being empathetic at work and in other areas of life, is a strength. When people feel heard, they feel valued. When people feel valued, they value listening. Work relationships thrive with a foundation of trust and rapport. Taking time to listen leads to better collaboration, creative problem-solving, and solutions that include various perspectives. Empathetic professionals are open-minded, curious, caring, authentic and non-judgmental. They welcome feedback and diverse views. As a result, they are satisfied, engaged and productive.
Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash
In sum, it is important to value and practice empathy at work. When professionals value empathy, the whole team benefits. Professionals who create time to converse, get to know each other and learn, are transparent, trustworthy and tolerant of shortcomings. It doesn’t take a lot to be empathetic. It just requires a desire to pause, listen and care.