Empathy is the new target
What is Empathy?
Let me elaborate it-
E– emotional
M-motivational and
P-personal
A-attitude
T-to gain
H-higher
Y-yields
Empathy is a simpler term than sympathy. It is the feeling that one understands the other person’s feelings and emotions and at the same time share them. It’s more like stepping into other people’s shoes.
Empathy is vital in all personal relations, and now a days, in order to maintain sustainable success, in professional relations as well. Empathy in an organisation comes with a proper and open communication between the superior and the subordinate. Keeping an empathetic approach towards the counterparts, employees or people associated with the company will elevate their trust and confidence in the company resulting in long term monetary and non -monetary benefits.
Empathy should not only be demonstrated through mere words but also by enforcing some positive actions inside and sometimes even outside the work premises.
Taking out time and holding sessions to interact with the subordinates should be made a regular practice. Sending a “Thank You” note or showing appreciation through monetary benefits, giving rewards and incentives, treating them equally, working in their welfare and for their betterment, not discriminating them, wishing them on their birthdays or attending their kids function or sending presents to them, will send them the message that you really care about them and are emotionally attached with them apart from the professional involvement . This is the moral obligation of a manager. This will boost their morale and restore confidence in their superiors and the company.
A successful team leader is one who aims to work as a team, listens and understands their perspectives and giving them equal say and importance in the work related issues.
Empathising with the juniors allows managers to establish and maintain healthy workplace relationships, engage them effectively into high work stress situations. Staffs under managers who possess good listening and interpersonal skills tend to contribute more to work because of their high satisfaction level and personal bonding with the managers.
Motivation becomes easier because you know what drives the other person the most. What motivates an individual may not motivate the other! For example- monetary benefits seem to be the highest motivating factor to one employee, whereas a personal letter of applaud and appreciation drives another employee to work harder.
Also, knowing the employee deeply, be aware of his strengths and weaknesses will make the delegation of responsibilities simpler and on the other hand, when the employee knows about his leader and his leadership style, he will understand the decisions made by him and would not question his decision-making and will willingly cooperate. This will result in increased growth and productivity of the company. Therefore it is important for an employer to gauge the attitude of each employee on a personal level.
In this current age, what makes an entrepreneur successful is how he manages his men on professional as well as personal front in order to gain both ways.