Teams & Leaders: Engage with Empathy
Lately I’ve started to observe colleagues interacting, managers leading, and teammates collaborating with a new lens that has brought the world into a clearer, more powerful focus: empathy. From the CEO at Microsoft to enlightened TED speakers, we have learned empathy helps drive higher performance, less turnover, you know where I’m going here. Here’s three ways on how to start viewing people and embracing empathy at work.
The boss. So we all have had those bosses who make us crazy. Maybe they are autocratic, or whatever the trait is that annoys us is. The single best way for me to truly see and conquer what is driving me crazy about THAT kind of boss is to (try to) see them with empathy. Maybe being a dictator was how they got where they are because it wasn’t safe to make a mistake? What if they are caring for a sick relative and stressed? Or riddled with self-doubt? Try to think about their struggles and point of view, and get to know them on a human level. Then do what you can to not only deliver impeccably, but with empathy when faced with their baggage. It will make you feel a million times better.
The team. Ever been on a team with that one person who doesn’t quite stack up? Can you believe that team member didn’t get that deliverable done? Or that they were zoned out at the meeting? My number one goal in my work is to change that narrative to one where we focus less on blaming and more on how we support each other to keep improving and trying. Yes we have high standards. And sometimes in striving for it, we might not make it. Instead of saying “here’s feedback on your mistakes”.... what about saying....”what did you learn?” Find ways to try to get people to connect on a human level—volunteer together. Grab drinks after work. Building empathy on a team creates safety so people can strive to do big things and innovate.
You. I just heard a podcast from HBR about how working moms in the US are super stressed. At the heart of the struggle is this stark isolation women feel. We view it as our responsibility for solving everything by ourselves, when the challenges are systemic. That is just one of many examples of struggles people feel and how hard we can be on ourselves. Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to be imperfect. Share your vulnerability with trusted friends and family. Learning a new skill? If you give yourself empathy, you would get plenty of rest and exercise before you start the training. Forgive yourself if you’re cranky at the end of a long day.
Empathy has been such a powerful and transformative force in my life. Spring is in the air! I am so excited to refresh and renew.
