Empathy in the workplace: How it improves employee wellbeing and ways to nurture it

Fostering empathy is vital for helping your team members feel their best, and creating a work environment marked by understanding, effective collaboration, and support. Discover simple steps to help you cultivate more empathy in your workplace.

In today’s fast-paced, hybrid work environment, empathy often takes a back seat. Whether we're working remotely in silos or absorbed in our own tasks, genuine connection and understanding can feel fleeting and hard to develop. Starkly, recent studies reveal that only 41% of employees feel they are truly cared for at work.

However, empathetic connections hold transformative power for how we feel and show up at work. They’re also important for people; research indicates that up to 92% of job seekers look for empathetic organizational cultures when considering career opportunities.

Prioritizing empathy in our workplaces not only strengthens relationships, but also boosts individual wellbeing, fostering an environment where every person feels heard, supported, and motivated to be there for each other. Building these connections might be simpler than you think.

At Scribl, we anchor human connection on four essential pillars: belonging, empathy, trust, and engagement. In this article, we explore empathy – what it means, why it matters, and actionable strategies to cultivate it within your team.

What is empathy?

Empathy is the ability to step into another person’s shoes, and truly feel what they’re feeling. It sparks compassion, and drives us to support people in practical ways.

Why empathy matters

Empathy is a key ingredient of strong relationships, and can aid our own mental wellbeing. It enables us to understand the perspectives, needs, and intentions of other people, helping us provide meaningful support when it’s needed most. Regularly practicing empathy also equips us to manage our own emotions effectively, improving our ability to respond to stressful or emotionally challenging situations.

In the workplace, empathy acts as a health booster – both physically and emotionally. Research shows that when managers lead with empathy, their employees are sick less often and feel happier when they make progress toward their goals at work. Empathetic leadership fosters an environment of understanding, encouragement, and collaboration. When employees feel like their managers and peers value and want to understand their perspectives, they’re more likely to contribute their ideas and insights freely. This empathetic workplace environment not only enhances employee wellbeing and teamwork, but can also improve overall productivity.

How to build empathy

Fostering empathy at work is about nurturing opportunities for vulnerability, and leaning into those moments. Create spaces for team members to share how they’re really feeling, and help them know you’re there for them, with these tips to build empathy.

Focus on the person’s feelings.

Sometimes we want to reassure the other person that they aren’t alone in how they feel, and that we’ve felt that way too. This type of connection can be powerful and reassuring, but it’s important to keep the conversation centered on the speaker. Keep your personal sharing as short and to the point as possible, relating it back to them and what they might be feeling.

Be mindful of your body language.

We can foster empathy not only through what we say, but through our non-verbal communication. Maintain an open, engaged posture, and make appropriate levels of eye contact with the colleague you’re having a conversation with. Pay attention to your tone as well, aiming to keep a soothing tone when you’re speaking.

Ask follow-up questions.

Follow-up questions are at the heart of building empathy; we can only put ourselves into another person’s shoes when we truly understand their experiences. These types of questions help conversations go beneath the surface, creating space for the team member you’re talking with to share more about what’s going on for them.

Questions to build empathy

Try follow-up questions like these to gently offer your team members the space to expand on what they’re talking about, and share their joys and challenges – as much as they’re comfortable with. You’ll be able to learn more about their experience, and they’ll know you care and aren’t afraid to lean in.

• How has navigating that situation been for you?
• What was the hardest part about that experience?
• What’s your biggest challenge with that project? How can I help?
• Can you tell me more about that?
• Is there something you’re grateful for from that experience? If you don’t feel like there is, that’s okay.

When someone shares with vulnerability, especially about something hard, the way you respond can go a long way in showing empathy and strengthening your connection. Try responses like these to let your colleague know you heard them, and hold space for their experience.

• Thank you for sharing that with me.
• If you want to talk about it more, I’m willing to listen, hold space, and help in any way I can.
• That must be so hard for you.
• I’m here for you.

Nurture a team culture marked by empathy and support

Cultivating an empathetic workplace culture is essential for caring for your employees’ wellbeing and fostering collaboration. By weaving empathy into your daily interactions and team practices, you help create an environment where everyone feels understood, safe to be vulnerable, and motivated to support one another.

Integrating practices that build empathy into your workday is easy with Scribl, our digital game designed to nurture genuine connections. Through creativity and engaging prompts, Scribl helps team members share their experiences, gain insights into each other’s perspectives, and show mutual support. Whether you kick off meetings with a quick Scribl session to break the ice, or use it to check in on how your team is feeling during remote workdays, just a few minutes of play can go a long way to enhancing empathy and camaraderie on your team.

Ready to see the impact for yourself? Book a demo today to discover how Scribl can boost your team’s wellbeing and build stronger connections.