Compassion Increases Trust
“People put faith in those who care beyond themselves,” says David Horsager. “And feeling cared for increases trust.”
Imagine a working environment where professional relationships are built on a base of mutual trust and respect. Such workplaces are compassionate, and in turn, happier.
Compassion is a process involving the ability to be aware of, feel, or perceive another human’s pain and to be with them or take action to relieve their suffering.
Meysam Poorkavoos believes there are three main problems that organizations have which impede showing compassion in the workplace.
1. Their workplace lacks an open culture where employees are comfortable sharing their issues and problems.
2. Managers aren’t really interested in people. They focus on outcomes without caring about the people who achieve them.
3. Policies and procedures tend to get in the way so people don’t see when staff need support.
Poorkavoos suggests 7 tips for increasing compassion and trust in the workplace.
1. Get to know your colleagues better. Ask them about their life.
2. Offer to help a co-worker when they are struggling with something that you are strong at.
3. Notice a colleague’s mental well-being and ask how you can help them.
4. Praise employees in front of others to show appreciation for their good work.
5. Be a kind, supportive leader or manager by encouraging them and offering flexibility.
6. Encourage constructive criticism to help colleagues be more effective at work.
7. Start with self-compassion by giving yourself slack when you have a bad day.
We are all human. We are emotional beings. Let’s help everyone in our workplace feel that they matter as an individual and as an employee. Increase workplace trust and happiness by being compassionate with your colleagues and yourself.