Authentic empathy: the key to your organization's business success

From geopolitical disruption and corporate downsizing to a slowing economy, leaders today have no lack of disruption to manage. In this state of constant change every decision is quickly becoming transformational in nature. To succeed, leaders must maintain a laser focus on the emotional and human dimensions of work.

Our second Empathy in Business report highlights that empathy in the workplace drives psychological safety and fosters an experiential culture that allows for experimental failure to generate learning and new ideas. Tellingly, US talent believe that mutual empathy between leaders and employees creates a safe, agile culture that can increase efficiency, creativity, job satisfaction, idea sharing and innovation.

Time and time again we have found that business transformation success is rooted in human emotions, with empathy at the core. As the increasing pace of market disruption is forcing companies to transform faster and more frequently, it is clear that leaders and organizations today must lean into human emotions to succeed at all six drivers that lead to transformation success.

Similarly, emotions are just as important as rational decisions in the context of M&A, a classic example of business transformation. While historically corporate leaders have focused on financial valuations, our research suggests that the people strategy is just as important for success — if not more so. 

Successful integrations require empathetic leaders who recognize and appreciate how their team members differ from one another, be it job function and location or learning styles. Should you communicate your M&A digitally or via in-person town halls? Should you present the information visually or verbally? Empathetic change management includes a concerted effort to bring everyone and their viewpoints and needs along with you. 

While HR or communications might set the strategy, the entire C-Suite must buy into the employee communication plan. If not communicated appropriately, people will feel disconnected from the mission and feel lost amid the shuffle.

Some refreshing good news

The 2023 report offers good news, too. Many people feel more bullish about work than at the height of the pandemic.

Of the women surveyed, 76% agree that there are more opportunities for them to grow within their company, a 12 percentage point increase from the last report (64%). Of all survey respondents, 84% say they feel proud of the organization where they work, compared with only 78% in the previous report.