Lockdown left a lasting mark on businesses across the UK. Empathetic communication skills have never been more important in the business industry. As you return to the office, you need to support your employees and empathise with their situation. They might have lost family members in the pandemic or experienced financial difficulties. Business owners should be empathetic towards these challenges and adjust their management approach. Â
Empathy and flexibility are key qualities in the workplace. You can make your office a healthy environment for employees to work within. You need to be supportive, empathetic and trustworthy. It’s time to improve the communication in your workplace with these simple tips.Â
Practise reflective listeningÂ
Reflective listening is when you listen to someone’s concerns and reflect on what they have said. For example, you could say, “I see what you’re saying, and I would also feel frustrated in your shoes.” You validate their experience, support their feelings and reflect their feelings back to them. This helps the person to feel understood and heard in the workplace. You don’t need to make an elaborate speech with an inspirational quote. You just need to listen and empathise with their situation.Â
It’s okay to disagree with someone
You can support your employees, even when you disagree with their opinions. Everyone reacts differently to situations. It’s part of human nature. You need to acknowledge the subjectivity of everyone’s experience and communicate clearly. Some people might have found lockdown much more difficult than others. It is not your position to judge or invalidate someone else’s emotions.Â
Hold yourself accountableÂ
You will make mistakes. You need to hold yourself accountable and take note of the mistakes you make. You might miscommunicate with an employee resulting in an undesired reaction. You should apologise for your mistake and try explaining in different terms. Take responsibility for your actions and make sure your employees know you have good intentions.Â
Use emotive languageÂ
Emotional intelligence is one of the greatest skills a business owner can have. You need to manage your team and notice when they are feeling down. You might notice that your employees have been more prone to stress and frustration since the pandemic. You should address these feelings in the office and try to support them. You could offer flexible working so they can split their time between home and the office. The transition back to full-time office work is likely to be difficult – especially for those with children. If you can be flexible, try to adjust your working strategies to the team’s needs.Â
Your employees have personal lives that can take a toll on their work performance. You can maintain a professional relationship while offering your support and advice. Help your team recover from the pandemic.
