Tim Cook said the following to graduates in his 2017 MIT commencement address: "People will try to convince you that you should keep empathy out of your career. Don’t accept this false premise.” It turned out he and other leaders had been onto something all along, as the results from a recent survey revealed that 80% out of 150 CEOs believed empathy is a key to success.
This study by Businessolver on the state of empathy in 2024 also revealed that while the majority of employees believe empathy is critically important, and should be demonstrated by companies, 63% of CEOs find it difficult to demonstrate in their day-to-day activities. Empathy has shifted far from its 1990s look and feel, i.e. a feel-good idea or a nice-to-have for a company and its people; in fact businesses that display empathy gain notable ground in recruitment, retention, and engagement.
This study by Businessolver on the state of empathy in 2024 also revealed that while the majority of employees believe empathy is critically important, and should be demonstrated by companies, 63% of CEOs find it difficult to demonstrate in their day-to-day activities. Empathy has shifted far from its 1990s look and feel, i.e. a feel-good idea or a nice-to-have for a company and its people; in fact businesses that display empathy gain notable ground in recruitment, retention, and engagement.
As much as 90% of respondents in this survey said they would stay at companies who showed empathy for their needs.
So, let’s have a look at what this means for us, today, right now. We deal with volumes of new challenges all the time as our clients, industry, families and colleagues also adapt to a plethora of unknown and unpracticed people- and work dynamics: These have everything to do with how we show empathy in 2024, but where to start?
First, a refresher that empathy is not understanding, but rather a deliberate intention to seek understanding about situations and others’ feelings or needs. Sound like too much admin? Don’t despair, as there are some practical ways to improve our empathy all based on human ability, so you don’t need your superhero cape for these:
1. Active listening
This involves giving full attention to your colleague, with face time almost always taking a front seat when engaging in important conversations (especially about feelings). Turn on your camera for these.
2. Asking questions
Asking the right questions shows that you care, and that you are present in a conversation or a meeting. Be specific, but not blunt.
3. Steer clear of judgement
Empathy is stifled when we have pre-conceived notions about a person or a situation – so keep an open mind, and give others the benefit of the doubt as your first stop.
4. Recognize feelings
People get stressed out at work and in their personal lives – it’s just a part of the human journey. Acknowledging your colleagues’ feelings and showing kindness will close the empathy gap by leaps and bounds.
The number one reason why empathy often does not succeed, is because we are human. Empathy requires action to be taken, whereas sympathy does not. The good news is, further research indicated that empathy is a skill rather than a trait, so why not practice this and give empathy the place it deserves in our daily work and lives? You can start right now by taking this quick empathy quiz to find out where you are – and then pump up the volume as you go along with every human interaction you have. Go on, just try it!
First, a refresher that empathy is not understanding, but rather a deliberate intention to seek understanding about situations and others’ feelings or needs. Sound like too much admin? Don’t despair, as there are some practical ways to improve our empathy all based on human ability, so you don’t need your superhero cape for these:
1. Active listening
This involves giving full attention to your colleague, with face time almost always taking a front seat when engaging in important conversations (especially about feelings). Turn on your camera for these.
2. Asking questions
Asking the right questions shows that you care, and that you are present in a conversation or a meeting. Be specific, but not blunt.
3. Steer clear of judgement
Empathy is stifled when we have pre-conceived notions about a person or a situation – so keep an open mind, and give others the benefit of the doubt as your first stop.
4. Recognize feelings
People get stressed out at work and in their personal lives – it’s just a part of the human journey. Acknowledging your colleagues’ feelings and showing kindness will close the empathy gap by leaps and bounds.
The number one reason why empathy often does not succeed, is because we are human. Empathy requires action to be taken, whereas sympathy does not. The good news is, further research indicated that empathy is a skill rather than a trait, so why not practice this and give empathy the place it deserves in our daily work and lives? You can start right now by taking this quick empathy quiz to find out where you are – and then pump up the volume as you go along with every human interaction you have. Go on, just try it!
