Empathy as an HR Leader
By The OD Company Admin - October 20, 2020Presented in the last few months with unprecedented ways of working, disconnection from our ‘norm’ and our own struggles of finding our way to balance our work and family demands. I wanted to share with you my journey of what it means to be an HR Professional in this time i.e. Covid-19.
Empathy speaks to me, it always has since I started my HR Journey, it has always been my objective to “do the right thing”. This is not always the easiest thing to do in our profession, but it is the right approach for me. I have always empathised with people, whether they are the leader, the employee, or one of my stakeholders.
Prior to making any recommendations or decisions I take a moment to ask myself some questions such as:
What does it feel like to be in someone’s position at this point?
What does it feel like to be in this situation and being faced with whatever this is?
When I have led change or led HR functions, I have been able to build relationships with my leaders to embed trust within our relationship. They often share my philosophy of ‘doing the right thing’.
Reflecting, I often wonder whether it is trust or empathy or both? Is it the idea that I tell the truth, no matter how hard it is to hear? I believe so. I have empathised with our employees and I have always tried to present the facts and provide clear recommendations. But I do believe it is important to share what we know, not to withhold any facts of information back and to provide support and guidance.
So, what do I do to empathise?
- I listen. I always listen I provide a safe place for my stakeholders to come and talk and I listen without any distraction. I earn their trust.
- I acknowledge their feelings. I engage and I hear them and validate their feelings.
- I work with them to provide an action plan, that could be something as simple as sending an email or they go and talk to their line manager, or I mediate. It depends on the situation.
- I tell them how it is, I give my opinion, as firm as it may be- I tell the truth. This is how I build trust. I do not sugar coat.
Empathy is essential in this time as we have colleagues facing redundancies and upheaval of their lives. It is important that we empathise with their situation and how they are feeling.
Please if there is one thing that you take away from this article, as an HR Leader; Provide empathy to your employees, not policing.
Share with me what your thoughts are on having empathy in our profession- the HR Profession in this time?
Disclaimer: The views and opinions included in this article belong to their author and do not mirror the views and opinions of any organisation.