It used to be considered unprofessional and inappropriate to show emotion at work, but that’s slowly starting to change. These days, we’re realizing that caring and empathy can make us a healthier and happier workforce, which makes us more productive, too.
Author, CEO and work expert Paul Hargreaves says, “Compassion is the number one characteristic I would prioritize above all others.” But how do you become more compassionate at work? These are his tips for making your workplace a more caring one.
- Don’t judge people for showing emotions - Sometimes people cry at work, whether it’s because they’re sad, frustrated or for some reason we don’t know about. And that’s totally natural, so the last thing they need is to be made to feel embarrassed about being upset.
- Have regular check-ins - In Paul’s company, they start their meetings with people saying how they’re feeling today in two or three words. It may feel awkward at first, but it shows that his team is cared about as humans, “not just cogs in the work machine.”
- Give people time when they need it - If someone’s struggling emotionally for any reason, give them space and let them take a break from their desk to focus on their mental wellbeing. It’s not just good for them, it’s good for the business as well since someone who’s anxious, stressed or preoccupied can’t do their best work.
- Talk about things not related to work - A big part of treating coworkers as people is getting to know their life outside of work. “To show compassion at work, ask others how things are going at home, with their children, and so on,” suggests Paul. He’s not saying you need to learn the names of everyone’s pets and their hobbies, but making a little effort shows you care and that can make a huge difference.
Read the full article at Metro