The corporate landscape is shifting its focus from profits to people. Modern leaders are recognizing that, in taking care of their workers, they secure the success of their business. People perform better when they’re well-rested, healthy, happy, and safe.
But how can an employer develop the kind of work environment that helps people feel their best? What can a leader do to facilitate that kind of energy?
There are several key characteristics all good and productive leaders have in common. Mindfulness is one we’ve talked about at length here but one quality tends to be overlooked: Empathy.
Highly empathetic people are able to understand situations from alternate perspectives and react compassionately. But it turns out that 68% of CEOs say they fear they will be less respected if they show empathy in the workplace, up 31 points from last year.
Why Empathy And Trust Matter At Work
The word “empathy” gets thrown around a lot without a clear definition. Empathy is simply the ability to understand the feelings and desires of other people. Highly empathetic people are able to understand situations from alternate perspectives and react compassionately.
How does empathy benefit leaders? Being able to build empathetic connections with your workers enhances performance. Think about it: when you are able to understand how an employee is feeling, you can more effectively meet their needs. Taking care of your employees builds trust. A working relationship built on trust and empathy is infinitely more productive than one built on fear and uncertainty.
How Empathy and Mindfulness Help Modern Leaders
A combination of mindfulness and empathy are two of the most useful skills for modern leaders to master. The lines between people’s personal and professional lives are the blurriest they’ve ever been. The pandemic and shift to more virtual work has changed people’s lives in unexpected ways. Mindfulness allows managers to recognize that these changes present new and unique challenges to the workforce. Empathy compels managers to do whatever they can to support their workers and their needs.
How might this look? A mindful and empathetic leader will:
- Take the time to get to know their employees
- Recognize symptoms of burnout in their teammates
- Have a genuine interest in their workers’ personal and professional growth
- Demonstrate a willingness to help employees solve problems
- Respond with compassion when employees are struggling
- Make a point to praise good work and effort
- Listen more than they talk
These are just a few examples. All of them, however, can be boiled down to being mindful and empathetic.
What Key Skills for Modern Leaders Can Fabulous Help Build?
If you’re looking to build your mindfulness and empathy, look no further than Fabulous. Cultivating mindfulness and empathy are core elements of Fabulous’s greater mission to transform people’s lives through habit development.
For individual users, our Meditation and Social Skills Circles are great spaces for people to gather, offer support, and share wins. The Art of Stoic Living Journey centers mindfulness among other Stoicism practices. Fabulous also has a number of Challenges and Coachings to supplement your practice.
But imagine if your entire workplace could access Fabulous as a team? Imagine Circles specific to your departments and professional interests. What if your entire team could participate in the same Challenge together?
Fabulous for Work does all of that and more — our solution integrates seamlessly within your workplace culture and builds team unity. And we offer free trials to anyone who requests a demo. Check it out and see how Fabulous can enhance your productivity and leadership today!
