Empathy in the Workplace

We could all take a lesson from nurses about being empathetic. Time and again, nurses rate as the most trusted profession. They make people feel safe and cared for.

Even the best nurses, however, can learn tools for improving their empathy. In fact, most people who score high on assessments in the area of empathy often have no idea what they do; they just know that they like people, they enjoy working with and helping people, and they value people as individuals.

In a recent presentation to healthcare professionals on empathy in New York City, the audience concurred that healthcare professionals do exhibit empathy most of the time - to their patients. When asked about the use of empathy with colleagues or with family or even with themselves, the audience seemed pretty certain they could do a better job.

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Even the best nurses, however,

can learn tools for improving their empathy.

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In Dr. Judith Orloff’s book, Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life, she discusses the benefits – and dangers — of being empathic in the workplace. Here, we talk with her about how to best harness empathy for personal and professional success.

Why does empathy belong in the workplace?

In the book Emotional Freedom, my message is that empathy is the most beautiful quality in human nature. It means that you can put yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s about having a gut feeling and intuition for how to communicate with others.

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empathy is the most beautiful quality

in human nature.

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