The most powerful tool for achieving results in times of uncertainty? Empathy to cooperate. Empathy for others, yes, and also for you and the organization.
In a changing, uncertain and complex context, it is essential to work differently. To move from theory to practice. Do you have that courage?
The courage to learn AND apply.
In Unique coaching’s leadership and business pathways, we make sure that participants can have tools to apply in their daily lives. Once the training is over, it is up to them to apply them.
This article presents a very effective tool to increase your chances of achieving goals: empathy to cooperate.
Let’s start with the definition of empathy and cooperation, then the tool and its applications.
Agile cooperation
Cooperation is understanding and synchronizing each other online to achieve the common goal.
What is the difference between empathy and sympathy for you?
Essentially, sympathy is feeling like the other, and empathy is seeing through the eyes of the other.
- If someone is sad, the sympathetic will be sad too and will say like: oh! I’m sad for you, I feel bad, etc.
- Empathy will say: I’ve already been sad for a similar situation, I can understand and see how you feel.
In business, and in life?, empathy is healthier. It allows for a benevolent support posture. It is not energy-intensive. In other words, you don’t have to feel “bad” if the other person feels bad.
Empathy is a coach’s posture. The coaching approach also allows managers to have more energy! Imagine, with all the people I meet, every day. These people live in all kinds of situations. If I was sympathetic rather than empathetic, I would end my days on the mat! … And I wouldn’t help anyone, including me.
If you end your days on the mat, if you are tired at the end of your day, because you are trying to meet everyone’s needs, have the courage to move from theory to practice and use the tool below!
Empathy allows for positive and benevolent support, on the other and on oneself.
Tool: the empathy for cooperation chart
Let’s do a simple and effective exercise.
On a piece of paper, reproduce the following table:
*For those around you, you can specify: colleagues, family, etc. You can add lines!
*For the organization you could also specify and create several lines: my department, the company in general.
The idea here is:
#1 Connect to needs
Here are some words you could use for the Needs column: need to celebrate, need to be recognized, calm, authenticity, knowledge, meaning, creativity, move, etc.
Example for you : “I need time”, in fact, as time is “outside” you, think instead about what having more time will allow you to solve.
- If I have more time I can do sports (you need to move)
- If I have more time, I will be able to finish my tasks (I need to be satisfied with what I do or I need recognition).
Example for others : need for understanding, clarity, to be listened to, recognized, etc.
Example for the organization : need for understanding, need for focus, need for security (to meet one’s needs).
#2 Indicate what you are currently doing
Once you have the needs, indicate the actions you are currently doing. In a professional context, we could say: What are your tasks now? What do you do on a daily basis?
Example for you : I am in a meeting, I manage several files at the same time, I coordinate, I decide, etc.
Examples for others: they consult experts, they offer services, they hold meetings, they analyze
Examples for organization: sells services, checks profitability, etc.
#3 The Conclusion
To what extent do your actions meet your needs?
Think about this and have the courage to move from theory to practice!
If you want to develop your empathy, in situations or for people with whom you frankly don’t want to, I have two other resources for you: 1- an article: Empathy when you don’t want to 2- the communication training which offers another concrete tool in addition to allowing you to be understood and have difficult conversations more easily.
Conclusion
Empathy to cooperate is an essential key to successful achievement towards your goals. It allows you to align with yourself, with others, and with the organization. This works in times of uncertainty AND in normal times. Agility is relevant at all times!
