Empathy

Empathy is a topic that has resurfaced in recent years. You can find it in self-help books, wellness seminars, and in meetings. The presence of empathy in everyday life is not as obvious. 

What is empathy? One of the common definitions is the ability to understand what other people feel and see from an emotional place.

What benefit does empathy have? When we can see or feel from another person’s point of view, we can be more collaborative and understanding. This can positively impact morale and make for a better environment. 

In personal terms, if we know a coworker needs to leave work on time, we can be more intentional about not scheduling late meetings. If we can see those around us as humans and consider their current experience before inserting our assumptions, we can do better work and take things less personally. 

So, is empathy in the workplace a soft skill or a trendy term? In truth, it can be either or both. It is what you make of it. You can be assured that when empathy is given from a genuine place, the one thing it will be is appreciated.