If you’ve ever researched what makes large companies successful, you’ve probably discovered a variety of factors. For example, having a great product or service is typically the starting point for most of these organizations. Without this, they wouldn’t be able to get too far.
But maybe you’ve also considered their pricing strategies, position in the market, or even how active they are on social media. While each of these elements might look different from one company to the next, chances are, the one thing they all have in common is an excellent team of employees.
Having highly motivated, loyal employees is one of the most essential components of running a successful business. However, to achieve this level of dedication from your teams, it is critical to show empathy and provide ongoing support.
Understanding the Importance of Empathy in Leadership
There are many supporting ideas surrounding the concept of showing empathy as a business leader. Being empathic doesn’t just mean acknowledging how an employee feels, though this is essential. It also involves getting to know more about their specific situation while taking note of any challenges they’re facing in their personal or professional life and what typically motivates them.
Making an effort to recognize each of your employees as individuals, not just workers, helps to establish much stronger bonds over time, which allows everyone to be more productive and actually enjoy what they do.
How Listening Inspires Trust
Employees who trust their managers are typically able to stay more focused throughout the day. When they know that company leaders have their best interests at heart, it makes them less likely to second-guess business decisions or feel undervalued.
However, developing this level of trust can take real work on the part of the business. Leaders should be ready and willing to listen to their employees’ concerns, new ideas, or feedback whenever it’s presented.
Doing this helps to build a strong foundation on which you can build your business. Just like in home renovation projects, if the home has structural issues, then the improvements you make aren’t likely to add much value until those problems are addressed.
Respecting Unique Perspectives
The worst thing you can do as a business leader is assume you have all the answers. Closing off outside perspectives can actually reduce your ability to introduce important business improvements or to grow more professionally.
Company employees often come from a variety of backgrounds with unique skill sets or life experiences. This should be considered an asset, with leaders looking for more ways to encourage employees to share their thoughts on different business objectives or processes.
Taking this approach creates a positive atmosphere where all employees feel heard by their employer.
Valuing Your Employees’ Well-being
Showing empathy to your employees means being concerned not just about their daily output, but also about how they’re holding up physically and emotionally. Today’s business environments can introduce a lot of stress to employees, which, if left unchecked, could cause considerable damage to their mental health.
It’s essential for a business leader to be keenly aware of this fact and regularly check in with employees throughout the year. In addition to ensuring employees take their allotted time off throughout the year, it’s important to look for more ways to show appreciation for the hard work they put in.
Taking the time to celebrate individual or team accomplishments in staff meetings or functions is a great way to boost morale and help employees feel like they’re more than just another number to the business.
Creating a Space for Open Communication
Open communication with employees is one of the most important ways to show more empathy. This allows you to create a safe working environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing how they’re feeling about certain business initiatives without being judged or ridiculed.
When employees feel they don’t need to hide how they’re feeling from management teams, information flows more freely between departments while toxic attitudes are avoided. The more other employees see their fellow colleagues opening up and sharing their ideas, the more likely they are to do the same. This makes it easier for businesses to solve potential issues and create more innovative products and services.
Focusing on Support and Development
Another way to show empathy to your employees is to show them how important their professional development is to the business. This not only shows you’re thinking of their financial future but also that you’re willing to understand their short- and long-term goals.
One way you can actively show your support in this area is by looking for more opportunities for each of your employees to step out of their comfort zones and learn new skills. This could be by vetting and presenting potential certification programs or courses that would benefit them, or even funding all or a portion of the costs.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Every business faces a number of challenges. These situations can sometimes shake the motivation of your employees and make them less likely to enjoy coming to work every day. However, it’s important to have the right mindset when trying to guide employees through these issues and view each of these challenges and new opportunities.
Just like in home renovation projects, when unexpected issues come up, it’s essential to work together to try to solve them. In business environments, it’s the same. By communicating efficiently, exploring different solutions or workarounds, and avoiding pointing fingers or blaming others, leadership teams can show all their employees the support they need to weather current or future storms down the road.
Become a Better Business Leader
Employees need to know that the business they work for understands and values their thoughts, concerns, and opinions. By following the strategies discussed, you’ll ensure all your company leaders create a positive working environment that helps to keep everyone motivated and productive.
Author Bio: Entrepreneur, technologist, and passionate business leader sum up the core of Dalip Jaggi, co-founder of Revive Real Estate, a PropTech company with a goal to democratize house flipping. Since its 2020 inception, Revive has become the smartest solution for homeowners to maximize their home’s value across the nation.
