Why the future of business starts with “e”

Empathy.

Roman Krznaric writes, “We are homo empathicus, wired for empathy, social cooperation and mutual aid.”

The problem has been that empathy has been under threat, it has been eroded by the increasing amount of stress people have to deal with on a daily basis, that is empathotoxic.

It’s harder to care for someone else when your own brain is under siege and you are operating in survival mode. Which is why we sometimes see normal, decent human beings walking past people in the street who are distressed, injured or in need of help.

Empathy is now being taught in some instances (such as medical school!), because as human beings we have a strong inbuilt need for social connection. Being more empathetic cultivates social cooperation and mutual aid -trust me I’m a Doctor. Plus the evidence from the neuroscience has debunked the idea that we are essentially only self-interested.

Bill Drayton from the Ashoka Foundation has launched the Start Empathy Initiative aimed at schools because he believes mastering empathy is the key business survival skill underpinning successful teamwork and leadership.

Empathetic leaders actively listen, are curious and also vulnerable. Curiosity is something that keeps us engaged with the world around us and according to Martin Seligman psychologist contributes to our feeling of happiness.

It’s not having about financial incentives or providing the latest “Nespresso” machine in the staff kitchen, it’s about understanding their needs, aspirations and desires. Feeling that your boss, colleague, friend values you, respects you and most importantly understands you, is what counts.

Can you add more empathy to your life?

Yes, neuroscience has shown we can use our understanding of how the human brain works, using our plasticity to rewire our thoughts and habits. This not only changes us but also how we interact with others.

Elevating empathy can be achieved by bringing our thoughts to our level of conscious awareness and using mindfulness and or loving-kindness meditation over a period of weeks.

In addition, volunteering, offering assistance to others in need without seeking reward or compensation, or doing five things a day to help someone else, have all been shown to elevate empathy, compassion and our overall levels of happiness.

As Brene Brown reminds us “Connection, is why we are here.”

Could your company do with some extra empathy?

What strategy could your workplace embrace to create a more empathetic environment?