A global information network provides possibilities for thoughtful consideration of others’ concerns and to provide compassionate action. Yes, the social media business models and the cable news are based on appealing to our emotions. But it’s up to us what we do with our feelings. So, why not embrace empathy as your guiding principle instead?
Despite knowing empathy is the best thing to do, it isn’t just a positive thing for the globe (and our sanity). As a result, it can provide a competitive advantage in the commercial world. In business, one of the essential tools is the capacity to see things from someone else’s perspective. Here are some benefits of compassion and empathy in the corporate world:
Feeling Heard Builds Meaningful Connections
Mutual understanding and empathy are naturally built from active listening. In addition, when you listen actively to your customers or prospects, let them share about their problems, and try to engage with them genuinely, you’ll be better equipped to let them see that you understand their difficulties. This makes it much easier to establish a relationship because it makes them feel like there is finally somebody on their side who understands what they’re experiencing and thinking. In the end, business is all about relationships.
Remember that active listening is more than simply repeating what you heard (such as saying, “So, you mean to say…”) or maintaining eye contact with the other person. Rather than forming a response while the other person is talking and trying to steer the conversation to what you want to discuss, you should consciously slow down and wait until the other person has stopped talking before responding.
The more you wait to respond and try to be comfortable with a bit of silence, it will urge them to continue and take the conversation in a new and deeper direction. So that the person you’re speaking with understands that you are genuinely listening and contemplating what they have just said, take a moment after they’ve finished talking to think critically.
Sell to a Person, Not the Organization
There are occasions when it makes sense to sell to a community instead of a single customer. After all, you’re still marketing to real people that have experiences and feelings, not some inanimate object. In other words, you need to know your present or potential customers exactly. Grab a health care franchise opportunity — a line of business that sells empathy. It is essential to understand the challenges they need to manage, what they need to do to ensure a job well done, and having a clean and transparent line of communication. As a result of this, your company ties remain viable and don’t rot on the vine.
Intensification of Innovation and Productivity
Customer perceptions of empathy will lead to increased purchases, but there is also more. Employees having strong skills of empathy are more productive and inventive. Employers with excellent “soft skills” are more likely to increase efficiency and solve more customer problems.
This is something that Google knows fully. It is no secret that Google has been hiring the brightest and highly skilled analysts, STEM professionals, software engineers, and computer scientists since the company was founded in 1998. What’s more, soft skills seem to be the most crucial factor in assembling successful teams.
When coming up with new ideas, Project Aristotle, a report conducted last year by Google, shows that the best ones come from B-teams comprised of individuals who exhibit egalitarianism, kindness, curiosity about others’ ideas, and emotional intelligence, and empathy. When team members feel comfortable speaking up and acknowledging they are heard, beautiful ideas are born, even if they don’t have top professionals.
Increased Referrals, Loyalty, and Sales
Knowing your customer’s needs and showcasing how your service or product will meet their needs is the cornerstone to closing sales. If you want to truly comprehend your consumers’ demands, you have to reflect on their worries and desires, their pain areas, and the things keeping them up at night. How can your sales team discuss and explain the way your services and products fit into your consumers’ lives if your team doesn’t have a thorough understanding of their lives? This example exemplifies the value of empathy in the business world.
Even more valuable than increasing revenues are devoted customers and excellent referrals. Try to use this empathetic approach to permeate your whole organization’s culture, from the accounting department to customer service, if you want to see regular customers evolved into super fans of your business.
No corporation will be empathetic as a result of the business benefits. Before making any significant progress in a given direction, you must desire to grasp the perspectives of others. It’s possible to create empathy in your sphere of influence when you concentrate on seeking to know more about your coworkers. Thus, making a significant impact on your brand, team, and the world.
