In our pursuit of a workplace filled with fulfillment, belonging, and genuine connections, we must uphold three fundamental virtues: compassion, empathy, and kindness. These virtues are not only vital for individuals but also essential for the success of conscious companies, businesses, and any collective. Easy to remember, they are the essence of COME-IN-KIND.
- Empathy: The ability to truly understand another person’s thoughts and feelings.
- Compassion: The capacity to feel another’s pain or sorrow and the desire to help alleviate it.
- Kindness: An act or quality of being generous, caring, and helpful to others.
These three virtues, although related, are distinct. A person can be empathetic but not necessarily compassionate or kind. For instance, empathy alone may not lead to acts of kindness. On the other hand, compassion, empathy, and kindness manifest in moments of understanding and support.
Creating an optimal workplace environment necessitates the collaboration of management and team members in nurturing compassion, empathy, and kindness. Leaders must lead by example, listening, connecting, and understanding their staff. Conscious efforts to support each other generate excellence in workplace functionality, resulting in staff and customer satisfaction.
The value of these virtues is well-established. Empathy directly impacts employee productivity, loyalty, and engagement. Businessolver’s 2017 Workplace Empathy Monitor reported that 77% of workers would work more hours for a more empathetic workplace, and 92% of HR professionals consider a compassionate workplace vital for employee retention.
The following were findings from the report:
- 77% of workers would be willing to work more hours for a more empathetic workplace; 60% would accept a reduced salary for the same
- 92% of HR professionals note that a compassionate workplace is a major factor in employee retention
- 80% of millennials would leave their current job if their office became less empathetic; 66% of Baby Boomers also shared this sentiment.
“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind, the second is to be kind and the third is to be kind.”-Henry James
Some important steps that all of us can follow to foster a benevolent empathetic work environment include the following:
- To cultivate an empathetic work environment, we should:
- Listen attentively without distractions.
- Resolve issues in person rather than through email.
- Seek clarification when needed and offer assistance.
- Empathize by understanding others’ perspectives.
- Avoid assumptions, learn facts, and maintain kindness in words.
- Reach out to those in need with a simple, “Are you okay?”
Taking a proactive role in fostering compassion, empathy, and kindness can transform your workplace into a pleasant and rewarding experience.
Remember to COME-IN-KIND…
