Compassion, which means "co-suffering", is a positive emotion that allows people to show that they care and are willing to help. Practicing and showing compassion has the ability to spread harmony in any environment, making it ideal for the workplace. In psychology, compassion is considered as more of an action instead of an emotion. Combining care, empathy, and love, being compassionate helps alleviate the suffering of others.
In this Pacific Prime article, we will look at what it means to have compassion in the workplace, the benefits of being compassionate at work, and ways to do it.
What does having compassion in the workplace mean?
According to studies, organizations that operate with compassion have employees with greater job satisfaction and less stress. What's more, workplace compassion also promotes employee engagement, dedication, and loyalty. Employees who work together with compassion are more likely to cooperate and help each other out.
Focusing on workplace compassion encourages healthy interpersonal relationships. It allows people to recognize and appreciate others sincerely, and work to benefit the organization instead of just oneself. Being compassionate with colleagues doesn't just affect both parties, but also has a positive impact on the performance culture in general.
Additionally, research shows that communicating with kindness and empathy improves the employees' value system by making them feel more like part of the team. It reduces pressure, anxiety, and makes them more resilient to stress and burnout. All of these reasons are why many leading organizations make creating a compassionate workplace a priority.
Employees can practice being compassionate at work by:
- Actively listening to colleagues without judging them.
- Noticing when colleagues are having a tough time at work or personally, and try to make them feel more comfortable.
- Accepting criticism and being careful when expressing opinions to someone to avoid hurting someone's feelings.
Workplace compassion benefits
Being compassionate in the workplace has many benefits. It ensures healthy communication that comes from a place of warmth and even improves organizational health. Moreover, companies that have managers and employees who exhibit these traits are more likely to succeed. Some benefits of workplace compassion include:
Employee retention
One of the key benefits of a workplace that practices compassion is employee retention. Employees who receive help and feel understood have a higher chance of staying in the company for a long period of time and putting their efforts into the company's growth. Conversely, employees who are treated poorly or do not feel like part of the team will be less motivated to work to the best of their ability.
Less stress
Compassion fosters an environment for active communication. Employees in a compassionate workspace feel as though they can express their professional concerns to their colleagues and socialize at work. It helps even out work stress and increases the chances of being more productive. Working with compassionate people and bonding with them at work also helps employees manage stress and burnout.
Better health
One study found that employees who spent a few minutes connecting with their colleagues had a steady heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, their immune systems were functioning properly, thereby reducing the likelihood of needing sick leave. Better health also resulted in a healthier work-life balance and improved their life outside of work.
Interpersonal relationships
Managers and leaders who work with compassion have highly reciprocating employees who are committed to the company. Since they receive goodness at work, they often aim to achieve organizational targets. On top of that, they form healthy and strong professional relationships and enjoy being part of the team.
Reciprocating compassion encourages generosity and commitment to the organization and those who work for it. When people feel valued and cared for by the company, they automatically feel good about their work and provide care and support to the people they work with.
Ways to show compassion at work
There are many ways that you can show compassion at work. The following tips can help you be more compassionate at the office.
1. Start with yourself
Any positive feelings should begin from within. After all, you can't show love and kindness to anyone else until you give it to yourself. You can begin by forgiving yourself for mistakes in the past, complimenting yourself, and focusing on what you're good at instead of what you aren't.
2. Communicate effectively
A sound communication pattern is crucial when it comes to being compassionate at work. Whether you're talking to a supervisor, a colleague, or a client, communicate openly and express your ideas clearly. You should also listen to anyone who chooses to open up to you with patience and an open mind.
3. Give words of encouragement
Verbal motivation and encouragement are simple ways to show compassion. In the workplace, you can practice compassion by encouraging and cheering others for their determination, achievements, and hard work.
4. Be more thoughtful
Pay attention to the thoughts and emotions of those around you. You should think about how your words might have an impact on others. Carefully observing the workplace, organizing meetings, and participating in one-on-one conversations are some ways you can work on developing general awareness.
While the hacks above can certainly help you show more compassion at work, there are still plenty of other ways. Compassion is an integral part of both personal and professional development. By practicing compassion, we can help create a more joyful and positive space around us.
Another way to make work better for employees is to offer company health insurance and employee benefit solutions. Offering global health insurance makes employees feel cared for and improves employee retention. At Pacific Prime, we work with top insurers to create tailored employee benefit solutions for our clients. Contact us today to receive impartial advice and a free quote.
