Research shows a real return on investment for organizations that foster an empathetic workplace. Results include improved effectiveness and performance, and organizational culture impacts that lead to better employee retention.
That said, being empathetic requires intentionality. Just as an athlete who practices gets better at their sport, practicing empathy makes you a better manager.
5 EXERCISES THAT CAN HELP
Here are five exercises to help build your empathy muscles:
1. Be self-aware. There are many aspects to this, but one core practice is to acknowledge your biases. Biases are often unconscious, so speaking to others can be a simple and effective way to identify and confront your biases. Listening to the challenges or issues others face puts a focus on the things you don’t worry about—but others may. You also need external self-awareness to understand how your team sees you. Consider a DiSC or CliftonStrengths inventory assessment.
2. Practice active listening. This requires a conscious effort to hear more than the words someone is saying, and receive the complete message being communicated. Practice with someone after reading this article—don’t get lost in your own thoughts or try to influence the conversation. Give them your full attention. Try to understand their perspective by observing nonverbal cues. Afterwards, reflect on what you learn about them and how to apply active listening skills to other aspects of your life.
3. Stretch your boundaries. Seek out experiences where you’re in an uncomfortable situation, where you need to “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.”
4. Seek out different perspectives. On social media, follow people with different backgrounds and perspectives. Visit someone else’s church, volunteer outside your own community, or learn more about a political movement unfamiliar to you.
5. Remember the little things. Genuine empathy rarely requires grand gestures. Organize team activities and celebrate work anniversaries, birthdays, or life events, for example. Make the space—and time—to talk to your team about their lives outside of work. And never underestimate the power of a handwritten note thanking someone for a great job.
Ultimately, people need to feel they are valued—and not just only for what they deliver while on the job. Do these empathy workouts regularly, and you’ll find your team performs better, and values you just as much.