Embracing Empathy in 2021

Believe it or not, we are finally approaching the end of 2020. It would be fair to say that this has been an unprecedented year and many of us are anxiously awaiting a fresh-start in 2021. If there is anything that the past eight months have taught us, it’s that nothing is certain. There are simply things we can’t control. Due to no fault of their own, small-businesses are shutting down, veteran employees are having to switch jobs, and organizations across nearly every industry are having to rethink their entire strategic approach. As a result, everyone is on edge and just ready for things to get back to “normal.” But, how do we get back to “normal?” Empathy. Modern leadership teams and organizations should embrace empathy as their number one value in 2021. But, not just empathy towards their employees, empathy towards their customers, shareholders, and everyone involved in the organizational hierarchy.

So, what exactly is empathy?

Empathy is the ability to recognize other’s thoughts and feelings and adjust our behavior accordingly. If someone is feeling sad, we have to know to tread lightly. If someone is happy, we have to know how to help them relish in the moment. But, some of us simply aren’t good at reading the room and understanding how we should approach others or behave. But, society has existed and evolved for far too long to believe there isn’t a solution to looking at how we interact with others with more purpose.

Our increasing dependence on technology has caused us to become addicted to “instant-gratification.” When we send a message, we expect an immediate response. But, not just an immediate response, an immediate answer to the question “Do they like what I have to say?” Consequently, our society has become a bit selfish. We become so involved in our own affairs, that we forget to look out for the well-being of others. However, there are solutions to reversing this cycle.

Take a few moments everyday to do something for someone else. It doesn’t have to be anything big, or something monumental; it can be something as simple as making sure that you hold open the door for someone, answer a text or email right away from a colleague who clearly needs help, or just listening to the problems that your employees have. Best-selling author Simon Sinek says “the daily practice of putting the well-being of clothes first has a compounding and reciprocal effect in relationships, in friendships, and in the way we treat our clients and colleagues” (2016). We have to capitalize on the opportunities we have to do something good for someone else. In doing so, not only do we build trust, we show them that we care and that we are capable of adjusting our emotions and behavior to fit the situation: a critical skill for any leader in today’s competitive business world.

But, there is a little bit more to practicing empathy than simply showing others that you care. There is actually a biological benefit to taking a few moments to put the needs of others before your own. Oxytocin, one of the most powerful chemicals in the body, is responsible for the feelings of love and a sense of deep trust. In fact, we actually exchange oxytocin when we shake hands. This is one of the reasons we feel uneasy when closing a deal without a handshake; that “biological agreement” that everything is copacetic is missing. Every single time that you take a few moments to ask an employee, colleague, or client how they are doing, you are actually helping facilitate this “biological agreement.” People simply get a warm “fuzzy” feeling when they know that someone else genuinely has their best interest in mind.

2020 has taught us that everyone struggles. We are all living in a world that we can’t control. But, when it comes to navigating a world filled with so much uncertainty, there is one thing that we can control. How we interact with others. When reflecting upon the drastic changes to our world, it becomes clear that building relationships with others based upon empathy is paramount.

If you are interested in learning more about how to inject empathy and a sense of understanding into your organization, I am here to help. Visit my website today to learn more and schedule a free consultation!