2.4 Spotlight on Human Resources Skills
Empathy
It is important to understand the meaning of empathy before we move forward in this book. Let’s look at the Merriam-Webster definition of empathy.
Empathy is the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of another (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)
While working in Human Resources, employees in your organization will face situations and events that may be difficult and emotional. In Chapter 1, we highlighted some of these situations that may impact your employees. Let’s do a brief review.
Some of the work-related situations your employees may face include work overload, a lack of recognition for their work, tensions with a colleague, unrealistic expectations from their manager, being micromanaged, bullying, harassment, lack of advancement, unfair treatment, job insecurity, and insufficient resources to perform their job.
Some of the personal life situations your employees may face include marital or family stress, parental stress, caregiving stressors, grief, illness, financial stress, addiction, and work-life balance issues.
WATCH the following video by Brene Brown to better understand empathy.
Video: “Brené Brown on Empathy” by RSA [2:53] is licensed under the Standard YouTube License.Transcript and closed captions available on YouTube.
Chapter 2 Exercise 5
REFLECT
Text Description
- Quality 1: Perspective Taking
- Question: Reflect on how this quality can be applied in an HR context.
- Quality 2: Staying Out Of Judgement
- Question: Reflect on how this quality can be applied in an HR context.
- Quality 3: Recognizing Emotion in Others
- Question: Reflect on how this quality can be applied in an HR context.
- Quality 4: Communicating Emotions with Others
- Question: Reflect on how this quality can be applied in an HR context.
- Overall Reflection
- Question: Reflect on the overall importance of empathy in HR and how these qualities contribute to effective HR practices.
- How can you integrate these qualities into your daily HR practices?
- Can you think of a situation in HR where applying one of these qualities would change the outcome?
- Question: Reflect on the overall importance of empathy in HR and how these qualities contribute to effective HR practices.
Explain how a human resources professional can apply the four qualities of empathy highlighted in the video.
- Quality 1: Perspective Taking
- Quality 2: Staying Out Of Judgement
- Quality 3: Recognizing Emotions in Others
- Quality 4: Communicating Emotions with Others
Reflect on the importance of empathy in HR and how these qualities contribute to effective HR practices.
As we move through Chapter Two, we will delve into a workplace scenario that allows a Human Resources professional or a people leader to utilize empathy as they resolve a workplace conflict.
