Hey guys! In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the world of work, have you ever felt that the atmosphere at work lacks a sense of concern for your fellow colleagues? Yup, you could say empathy! In fact, empathy is the key to creating a harmonious and productive work environment. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, empathy is the ability to share the feelings or experiences of others by imagining what it would be like to be in that person's situation. In addition, according to Marcia Reynolds on the psychologytoday.com website that when you listen with genuine empathy, people will feel comfortable being themselves in front of you. From there, you can guide or direct them to see new opportunities. They will be more open to learning with you. Let's in this article, we thoroughly discuss how to increase empathy in the workplace so that the work atmosphere is more exciting, harmonious, and of course productive. Check this out some of the following tips!
1. Get to know your colleagues better and limit toxic positivity
Getting to know colleagues better is one of the important steps in increasing empathy in the workplace. When you take the time to understand their backgrounds, values, and perspectives, you'll build a strong foundation for a better and more harmonious relationship. Here are some ways to do it:
Take time to chat: Take time to talk to colleagues outside of the topic of work. Ask about their hobbies, family, or life experiences. These conversations can help broaden understanding and build personal relationships.
Be a good listener: Practice active listening when they speak. Focus your attention on the words and feeling they convey, without cutting or thinking about your own answer.
Understand their perspective: Try to see the situation from their point of view. This can help you understand reason behind their action or decision and create a more empathetic relationship.
Celebrate their successes: When colleagues achieves something important, give appreciation and celebrate their achievements. It shows that you appreciate their efforts and strengthen positive relationships.
"You're still better off!", "Stop complaining already!", and so on. Who often respond like that when your colleagues are venting? It's natural for your colleagues to be uncomfortable. On the contrary, it makes them worried, your sentence actually indirectly blames them. Your presence is enough to help them, no need to add positive words that even become toxic. Learning empathy means also learning not to judge your colleagues.
2. Personalize your communication
Personalizing communication is about adjusting your communication style and language to suit different types of people in the workplace, such as colleagues, supervisor, or client. For example, you might use more specialized language when talking to colleagues in the same department, but use simpler and more friendly language when speaking with colleagues from other departments or with clients. In the context of increasing empathy at work, personalizing communication can help you better understand and respond to the needs and perspectives of others.
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3. Offer help
Empathy can also help you understand and address your colleagues problems, such as increased workloads or personal issues. Show empathy by offering help as much as possible. If you have a team, this action can also show your team members that you care about ensuring the team's success and well-being. Additionally, it can enhance trust and support among team members, which can strengthen collaboration and cooperation. Wait! But don't forget to make sure your tasks and responsibilities at workplace are completed!
4. Expand your social circle
One of the tips to increase empathy is to expand your social circle. Don't limit yourself to a specific group, such as only meeting colleagues at work. This can restrict your ability to enhance empathy. It's better to join communities that allow you to meet a variety of people. From there, you can learn how they communicate, express opinion, and their habits. By understanding these differences, you can learn to handle them and respect them. Respecting others is a key factor in having empathy. So, not only will your sense of empathy increase, but also your experiences will become more diverse. Who benefits? Of course, yourself.
5. Training yourself and expand your knowledge
Training yourself and expand your knowledge are crucial in increasing empathy in the workplace. So, you must stay aware to keep learning and understanding others perspectives. You can start with simple things, like reading books or articles, and attending workshop or seminar. By expanding your knowledge, such as about others experiences, you can better understand their world. This practice also includes being aware of your own emotions. By understanding and managing your emotions well, you will be more sensitive and able to respond to others feeling more accurately.
So, those are some tips you can apply to increase empathy in the workplace. Remember! By being more empathetic, you not only make the work environment more comfortable but also help the team’s achieve better results. So, from now on don't hesitate to practice your empathy every day. The more you care, the more solid your teamwork will be. Let's make our workplace a better place together!
Sources:
EMPATHY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
Empathy in the Workplace: Its Important and How To Show It | Indeed.com
5 Strategi Sederhana Meningkatkan Rasa Empati di Dunia Kerja (idntimes.com)
4 Cara Meningkatkan Kemampuan Empati, Kamu Wajib Tahu! - Glints Blog