Webster Dictionary says Empathy is, “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner”

As leaders in Multifamily, where onsite team members are still showing up, investing in their residents and still requiring to be onsite, managers at all levels must embody empathy. Over the past several years, our lives have been flipped upside down, our work and family life have been blended and merged into one. The pressure of home and work has been elevated to it’s highest point over the last years.

When employees are stressed with work overload as well as at home pressure, work contributions are shown to decrease, tension between colleagues rise, frustration is at an all time high. How can team leaders, lower the employees stress, increase employee contributions and create a positive work environment? A new study of 889 employees by Catalyst found empathy has some significant constructive effects. My top 3 favorite from this report are:

Engagement. 76% of people who experienced empathy from their leaders reported they were engaged compared with only 32% who experienced less empathy. We all want employees to be engaged and enjoy their working environment, even if it is through a zoom call.
Retention. 57% of white women and 62% of women of color said they were unlikely to think of leaving their companies when they felt their life circumstances were respected and valued by their companies. However, when they didn’t feel that level of value or respect for their life circumstances, only 14% and 30% of white women and women of color respectively said they were unlikely to consider leaving. Invest in people, develop them to be excellent leaders by understanding them and getting in the trenches with them.
Work-Life. When people felt their leaders were more empathetic, 86% reported they are able to navigate the demands of their work and life—successfully juggling their personal, family and work obligations. This is compared with 60% of those who perceived less empathy. When we give grace and understanding to employees outside of their job, the return is greater than 30%.

Not only is empathy such a key skill to continue to fine tune, but showing grace to each team member goes along way. When leaders understand the demands employees are feeling not only while at work, but outside of work, employees feel the dedication, caring from their leader. Empathy contributes to positive relationships, increased collaboration, trust and also drives results.

Remember, people are not loyal to a company for the company, people will follow their leader if they leave. Loyalty and investment is from a leader not a company and with stress at an all time high, when a leader invests in their employees, they feel cared about, that employee then in turn has a heart and dedication to do their very best.

In the end we are are human, and want to feel the human to human connection, concern and investment from Leaders. As the new year approaches, will you take a look at your own current daily schedule and make more time to invest in your employees and show grace and empathy?