Dusseldorf The modern executive is an all-round talent: She communicates at eye level, encourages her employees and at the same time is decisive and assertive. “Empathy” is the magic word here – i.e. the ability to put yourself in the position of others.
Kirsten Schrick has been working as a consultant and trainer for almost 20 years. She coaches executives and organizations. In the Handelsblatt podcast “Rethink Work”, the podcast about people, the new world of work and leadership, she tells how she sees the importance of empathy in companies changing.
She says: “Everyone has to be empathetic today. But if I look closely now, I can already see that many people who claim to be empathetic may be empathetic on a cognitive level, but cannot attune to the feelings of others.”
She talks about bosses who have completely redesigned their office furnishings for the new working world, but at the same time belittle employees in front of the assembled team. At the same time, however, she sees major changes in terms of empathetic behavior, especially among the younger generation.
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She also answers the question of whether women really are more empathetic than men and gives specific tips for emotional situations in the workplace. The answer to the question of how a manager should react to tears in the workplace is clear: “As a rule, I advise against physical contact.”
What would be the right strategy from Schrick’s point of view, however, you can find out in the new episode of Handelsblatt Rethink Work.
More: You can hear the previous episode of Handelsblatt Rethink Work here.