All Careers Need a Certain Amount of Empathy

It’s not only the doctors and counselors in the world who need empathy to communicate with their clients – empathy is also needed in every aspect of the workplace. When you understand the emotions of other people, you’re going to naturally achieve more in the workplace.

Better relationships with your boss and coworkers are built by expressing empathy and if you’re in sales, you must have empathy for your clients or you won’t succeed as much as you could.

Studies indicate that empathy has declined in our society. Employers are seen as less empathetic as they should be and coworkers have become generally unaffected by other coworkers’ emotions.

On the other side, over 90% employees that were surveyed about empathy in the workplace agree that empathy has become undervalued as a way to motivate and increase productivity.

As a result, more employers and employees are interested in acquiring empathy to improve the workplace. Some ways to build empathy in the workplace include becoming more aware of what’s going on around you.

Sometimes that’s difficult to do. You may get stressed and even angry at the workload that’s being put on you and remain oblivious to others around you that might also be stressed.

When you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed at work, take a minute to stop and breathe deeply. Watch and listen to others and you’ll likely find out that others are feeling the same as you.

You can then understand – empathize – with them and feel better about the feelings that you’re experiencing. You’re not alone. When you understand the emotions and actions of others, you can better understand your own feelings.

Leaders of people tend to be more empathetic because they are a step ahead in figuring out why people think and act the way they do. It’s an outstanding quality of one who wants to influence and inspire others.

If you watch the news or have the opportunity to observe a prominent leader in the midst of others, notice how they speak to their audience. They tend to recognize people and seem to be truly interested in what they’re saying.

Their focus is directly on the person speaking, eye contact is made and empathy from the leader is clearly evident. You may have also seen or been with a person who is anything but focused on the person he’s trying to communicate with.

There is lots of fidgeting, no eye contact and a clear picture that he’s trying to get away or avoid a conversation. That person will never be a leader of others – unless he learns how to be empathetic.

Practice your empathy skills no matter what your career path. Even if you work from home, your communication can show your empathy toward others. Your voice and your written words indicate the type of person you are.