Empathy is a fundamental human trait that allows us to understand and share the feelings of others. In the workplace, it plays a crucial role in building meaningful connections, fostering collaboration, and creating a positive work environment where people feel they belong. Belonging is one of the most important drivers of employee engagement, and today it’s under siege. According to Gallup, employee engagement has dropped over the last several years to 32%, and 17% of employees are actively disengaged. Disengaged employees cost companies hundreds of billions every year.
Just as empathy develops and matures over time, its application within the workplace evolves through distinct stages. Promoting growth at each of these stages and understanding their role in nurturing an engaged employee is key to earning employee buy-in. A survey by Businessolver revealed that 92% of employees consider empathy an important factor in staying with their organization. Here are the five stages of empathy development and some ideas for unlocking value at each.
Stage 1: Self-Awareness
The journey toward empathy begins with self-awareness, which any mental health professional will tell you can be the project of a whole lifetime. Individuals in the workplace must seek to develop an understanding of their own emotions, thoughts, and biases and develop methods to put them to productive use (or, in the case of biases, limit their influence). We recommend adding programming to your DEI training plan that focuses on promoting self-awareness and recognizing differences. One exercise we find helpful involves employees breaking out into groups and completing an intersectionality diagram where they map their identities and discuss the way each has shaped them. This hands-on practice encourages employees to open up and be more accepting of the emotions of their colleagues.
Stage 2: Emotional Recognition
The second stage of empathy development focuses on the ability to recognize and understand emotions in oneself and others. This involves actively listening and observing non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Employees who can accurately interpret emotions are better equipped to respond empathetically, offering support and understanding to their coworkers. This fosters a sense of connection and trust in the workplace, especially when exhibited at a high level by leaders. Organizations such as Google and Meta make mentorship and coaching programs available to employees that emphasize the importance of empathy. Pairing experienced leaders with emerging leaders or providing coaching opportunities enables the transfer of empathetic leadership skills and promotes personal and professional growth. We’ve also found that investing in empathetic leadership training and next-gen learning & development goes a long way in promoting emotional recognition.
Stage 3: Perspective-Taking
In the third stage of empathy development, individuals expand their focus beyond recognizing emotions to understanding the perspectives of others. This involves stepping into someone else’s shoes and seeing the world through their eyes. Perspective-taking allows employees to appreciate diverse viewpoints, enhance communication, and cultivate a more inclusive work environment. On an action level, it encourages them to seek out differing opinions and make informed decisions that consider the needs of all stakeholders. Immersive DEI training programs often center on perspective-taking exercises that promote this stage of empathy development. By providing a practice-based approach learners are given frameworks needed to translate the learning into informed action.
Stage 4: Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation is a crucial stage in empathy development, particularly in the workplace setting. It involves managing and controlling one’s emotions to respond appropriately to the feelings of others. Employees who have developed emotional regulation skills can navigate challenging situations with grace and composure, promoting constructive conversations and conflict resolution. Thus, creating a safe space for open dialogue and communication without fear of judgment.
Stage 5: Empathetic Action
The final stage of empathy development culminates in empathetic action. This involves putting empathy into practice by taking actions that support and uplift others. Empathetic actions can range from simply listening to a coworker, to offering assistance, guidance, or resources. Fortune 500 companies have recently begun to employ several methods to encourage empathetic action. Some examples include Employee Resource Groups, which focus on affinity and belonging (the first official ERG in the United States was the Xerox National Black Employees Caucus, created in 1970), and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that offer support and resources to employees experiencing personal or professional challenges. Additionally at this stage, it’s critical to establish inclusive policies that consider the diverse needs and experiences of employees. Initiatives, such as hybrid work policies, contribute to a culture of support, empathy, and mutual respect.
Empathy’s impact on the workplace
The business case for promoting empathy development at all 5 stages is clear. By cultivating self-awareness, emotional recognition, perspective-taking, emotional regulation, and empathetic action, employees can foster a workplace culture characterized by understanding, collaboration, and mutual respect. Also critically, empathy deepens employees’ emotional commitment to your organization’s mission, which helps workers feel a sense of purpose and meaning in the work they do. In an organization where people care about each other, employees can harness the power of collective intelligence, leading to innovative solutions and enhanced productivity. Considering the phases of empathy supports a DEI program that nurtures an environment where everyone can thrive.