Hybrid Work & Empathy
The Importance of Empathy in the Workplace: How the Hybrid Work Model Fails to Promote It
The importance of empathy in the workplace cannot be overstated. Empathy is the ability to understand the needs of others and be aware of their feelings and thoughts. It is a critical trait for leaders because it improves communication, strengthens working relationships, boosts creative thinking, increases sales and investment opportunities, and enhances employee engagement and retention. However, with the rise of the hybrid work model, which combines in-office and remote work, empathy in the workplace is becoming increasingly difficult to promote.
Empathetic leadership means having the ability to understand the needs of others and being aware of their feelings and thoughts.
Empathy is critical for leaders because it improves communication, strengthens working relationships, boosts creative thinking, increases sales and investment opportunities, and enhances employee engagement and retention [1]. Empathy creates a welcoming and inclusive work environment where employees feel valued and heard. Employees tend to be more productive, loyal, and engaged when treated empathetically. Empathy also nurtures a positive work culture, where employees feel comfortable discussing challenges and seeking help when needed [2]. Unfortunately, empathetic leadership has long been undervalued in the workplace, with many companies prioritizing profits over people. However, with the rise of remote work, empathy has become even more critical to maintaining a healthy and productive workforce.
The flexible hybrid work model supports a blend of in-office, remote, and on-the-go workers. There are four common types of hybrid work models [3]. Hybrid work offers several advantages, including improved work-life balance, more efficient use of time, control over work hours, and work location [4].
A Haworth workplace study revealed that 79% of organizations have a hybrid work program, with an additional 8% considering one [5]. However, the hybrid work model presents unique challenges to promoting empathy in the workplace.
Working hybrid means that, compared with full-time in-office work, more communication will occur via technologies like email, text, phone, and video conferencing [6].
Hybridity can reduce cohesion and trust.
Research from Microsoft found remote working leads employees to have smaller, less well-developed networks that are more limited to colleagues who perform similar roles [6].
All collaborative work involves coordination, but hybrid teams present significantly more coordination challenges than face-to-face.
Employees may feel isolated, disconnected, or neglected in a hybrid work environment, leading to low morale, reduced productivity, and increased turnover. In such an environment, promoting empathy becomes even more challenging.
Managers and leaders can adopt several strategies to promote empathy in the hybrid work model. For example, they can talk about empathy in the workplace to signal its value and teach listening skills to their employees [1]. They can also encourage genuine conversations, support, and engage in social and informal interactions [7].
Another strategy is to promote work empathy by encouraging employees to collaborate and share their experiences and ideas. Empathy and similar soft skills are essential for today’s workplace, particularly in hybrid work environments [8].
By promoting empathy in the workplace, leaders can create a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees feel valued and heard, even in a hybrid work model.
In conclusion, empathy is a critical trait for leaders, essential for maintaining a healthy and productive workforce. However, promoting empathy has become increasingly complex with the rise of the hybrid work model.
The hybrid work model presents unique challenges to fostering empathy in the workplace, including reduced cohesion and trust, increased coordination challenges, and potential isolation. Nevertheless, managers and leaders can adopt several strategies to promote empathy in the workplace, including promoting work empathy, encouraging collaboration, and teaching listening skills.
By prioritizing empathy in the workplace, leaders can create a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees feel valued and heard, even in a hybrid work model.
Source:
- The Importance of Empathy in the Workplace | CCL. (n.d.) Retrieved February 29, 2024, from www.ccl.org
- Empathy in the Workplace: Its Important and How To Show It. (n.d.) Retrieved February 29, 2024, from www.indeed.com
- What is hybrid work and what are hybrid work models?. (n.d.) Retrieved February 29, 2024, from www.webex.com/what-is-hybrid-work.html
- The Advantages and Challenges of Hybrid Work. (n.d.) Retrieved February 29, 2024, from www.gallup.com
- Empathy and Trust Drive Successful Hybrid Work Policies. (n.d.) Retrieved February 29, 2024, from www.haworth.com
- Why Hybrid Work Can Become Toxic. (n.d.) Retrieved February 29, 2024, from hbr.org/2023/07/why-hybrid-work-can-become-toxic
- How to Build Strong Relationships in a Hybrid Work …. (n.d.) Retrieved February 29, 2024, from www.linkedin.com
- Empathy At Work: Building Soft Skills for a Remote World. (n.d.) Retrieved February 29, 2024, from www.linkedin.com
