Want to Embrace Empathy in your Workplace? First: Get Curious
One of the best things for me last year was that COVID afforded me a semi-sabbatical. I got to focus on a few of my major passions in an organisational context, one being – understanding the role and importance of empathy in our workplaces.
Whether this was a focus for organisations prior to the pandemic or not, COVID has made it front and centre that our workforce matters, and that we need to just generally be a lot more ‘human’ in the way we work together. Both get big thumbs up in my book!
And talking of books, a dear friend and colleague Michael Jenkins of Expert Humans has recently published his latest book – “Expert Humans: Critical Leadership Skills For A Disrupted World.” It is a very timely publication as he examines the critical leadership concepts of Altruism, Compassion and Empathy and how the application of these can help support the strong need to humanising our workplaces.
In one of our many discussions, Michael and I were exploring various roads into empathy and its vital role in a leader’s toolkit.
He graciously quoted me in his book. I firmly believe that curiosity is a pre cursor to empathy. And here’s why…
“Leaders frequently get feedback about their perceived inability to empathise – whether it be during leadership development programmes, 360 assessments or annual reviews. This is often a source of frustration for them because some find it hard to get their head around how empathy actually works, let alone how best to develop themselves to be more empathetic.
In various coaching conversations with CEOs and senior leaders, I’ve often suggested that they approach things differently – and start from a place of curiosity. Having curiosity about others helps a leader to be more open to other people and their situations. It can draw them towards these people. This is the opposite to taking a more removed, judgemental approach as leaders attempt to try to work out what’s gone wrong in a given situation.”
How can you invite more curiosity (and empathy) into your workplace?
I am a big fan of questions. And this is the perfect opportunity to ask questions and invite in the curiosity… because you cannot be curious while also being judgemental. And that’s the key here – judgement has no place alongside empathy. A well-asked open question, while remaining open and listening to their response is a big step towards empathy. It does not have to be the big gesture that makes the biggest difference!
“Leadership is about looking after the people that look after the results.”
How are you embracing curiosity and empathy in your organisation?
Michael is Chief Executive Officer at Expert Humans and Partner, FutureWork Forum. He is also a recognised thinker of our time – listed in HR Magazine – as one of the Most Influential HR Thinkers (2016).
The central focus of this book – Altruism, Compassion and Empathy – is dear to his heart and very central in all the work he does. He walks and talks the subject of his new book. A must-read for any leader!
Dr Robyn Wilson focuses on helping leaders tackle the change and challenges they face and journeys with them as they, their teams and organizations navigate these with the aim of becoming stronger, gaining more clarity and with strengthened relationships and personal capability. She is the founder of Praxis Management Consulting.
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