Photo: sojo.net
‘Their failure to understand the attraction of empathy is born of a simple misconception; empathy isn't about people-pleasing. It's not about being a pushover. Instead, empathy, the ability to understand the impact your actions have on others, is essential to being a player in the corporate game. It needs to be embedded from the boardroom right through to the shop floor.
The evidence shows that emotional intelligence and empathy pays. Among the L'Oreal sales-force, the best empathisers sold nearly $100,000 more per year than their colleagues. Waiters who are better at showing empathy earn nearly 20% more in tips. Even debt collectors with empathy skills recovered twice as much debt.
Yet most companies continue to fuel their empathy deficits, overlooking people who work empathically. The good news is you can teach empathy; it's like a muscle that can be trained and honed.’
In February 2014 I posted a Blog under the title of Why Be More Empathetic? where I noted the following:
Empathy is at the heart of who we are. It's an essential, transforming quality we must develop for the 21st Century. Empathy has the power to transform relationships, from the personal to the political. And, as we move on from an age of introspection, empathy will be key to fundamental social change.
Then, I followed this posting with Build a Better World: The Healing Power of Doing Good where I observed the following:
There is no doubt that the world is in a desperate need of change: A change for the better, a change for the common good. But the big question is: How? What can I do? The answer to my mind is very simple: Kindness, doing good, helping others. In short, volunteer and do it all for the common good. This is why I want to share with you the joy I have received reading a wonderful book, a book I chose as one of my main reading texts for the Business Ethics Course I teach at California Lutheran University.
Today, whilst reading the Guardian I saw a posting that captured my eyes and imagination: Video: How empathy in the workplace can revolutionise business | Women-in-leadership | The Guardian
In this video business leaders discuss why they believe empathy is an essential tool in the corporate world and how it can open the door to profit,well-being and a happier workplace.
This is a source of delight and joy for me to note that the values and policies we adhere to at the GCGI The Value of Values: Why Values Matter are now the values that more and more people, organisations, businesses,… believe to be vital to make one truly successful, truly how to be human and act accordingly. For that I cannot be grateful enough.
Read More:
A reflection on the World Kindness Day
David Cameron: 'Profit Is Not A Dirty Word'- Is he right?
The Damning Impact of a Toxic Philosophy on America: The Tragedy of Ayn Rand
Small is Beautiful: The Wisdom of E.F. Schumacher
The Value of Values: A Presentation at the VII Astana Economic Forum