Start working on empathy: 14 habits to be more empathetic in the workplace

There are human qualities or soft skills, as they are known in the work environment, that are essential for the proper functioning of teams, such as empathy, which allows us to put ourselves in the shoes of our partners. There are already many companies that understand the importance of working on empathy through teambuilding activities, and the results are very positive.

And you? Do you consider yourself empathetic enough to work as a team? In this post, we tell you about the funniest initiatives that some leading companies in their sector are already carrying out. Take notes and put them into practice in your work environment!

Why is it so important to work on empathy in work teams?

That of working on empathy is taking centre stage in the business environment, since the great benefits that it brings both to the human team and to productivity have been verified. There are key pieces to generate a good work environment and, perhaps, this is the most important, even more than motivation. However, both aspects are very close and get to step on too many occasions.

Is it necessary for a highly motivated employee to step on another to achieve their goals? How can you motivate some by attending to the needs of others? Questions like this are the ones that experts in psychology and human resources try to solve daily to improve the intrapersonal relationships of 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 more comfortable and develop freely.
• Improve labour relations.
• It boosts productivity, but at the same time, it curbs excessive ambition, thus preventing some employees from feeling uncomfortable or leaving the company.
• 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 company

Now that you know why empathy should never be forgotten in the work environment, let’s see 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 understand the points of view 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 greater understanding of their emotions and experiences.
• Observe body language: Pay attention to nonverbal cues from others, such as tone of voice, gestures, and facial expressions. This will give you clues about their emotions and mood.
• Practice Emotional Empathy: Recognize and validate the emotions of others. Show understanding and support when someone is going through a difficult time.
• Promotes diversity and inclusion: values ​​and respects individual differences in the company. Promotes an environment where everyone feels accepted and valued.
• Participate in team-building activities: These initiatives foster collaboration and understanding among team members. This will help strengthen relationships and develop empathy.
• Practice Acknowledgment: ​​Appreciate the contributions of others. This will make them feel valued and will promote an environment of trust and mutual support.
• Promote Open Communication: Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas, opinions, and concerns. Listen carefully and show respect for all voices.

• Give constructive feedback: When you pass feedback on to others, do so in a respectful and considerate manner. Be sure to focus on the growth and development of the person.
• Practice empathy in conflict situations: Try to understand the perspectives of all parties involved in a conflict. Look for solutions that are beneficial to all and avoid unnecessary confrontations.
• Do Reflection Exercises: Take some time to reflect on your own emotions and how they may influence your interactions with others. This will help you develop greater empathy towards others.
• Participate in personal development programs: attend workshops, courses, or conferences that focus on developing emotional skills and empathy. These activities will provide you with tools and techniques to cultivate empathy in your working life.
• Try to be a role model: Practice empathy in your own behaviour and be an example to others. When others see you showing empathy, they are more likely to follow your example.

Meet the 8 leading Spanish companies in corporate health

Surely you have heard of the Great Place to Work ranking and the annual awards that the institute of the same name awards to companies with the best occupational health according to their employees. Each ranking, made up of 25 companies, is published in their respective country and to participate in it you must have more than ten employees and carry out an anonymous survey among all of them on five dimensions: credibility, respect, impartiality, pride and camaraderie. This year, the list of the Spanish companies where the best work is done, and which have more than 1,000 employees, is headed by these eight entities: Lilly SA, DHL Express Spain, Reale Seguros Generales, PELAYO, Banca March, JYSK, Mediamarkt Iberia, GFT Consulting SLU.

And you might ask yourself: What do these companies do to deserve the prestigious Great Place to Work seal? Very easy! Practice active listening through the feedback of your employees to improve the emotional salary, consisting of: flexible hours, teleworking, health insurance, facilities for family reconciliation, intensive or reduced hours… and many other things that make the life of employees easier.

As you can see, empathy is a basic factor from which the happiness and satisfaction of each team member start. If you also agree and try to work on empathy day by day, don’t miss our next posts on the Educa.Pro blog, where we will delve into the areas of professional and personal development.