Work

Why is it important to foster empathy in the workplace? What are the consequences of a lack of empathy in an organization? According to management theorist Simon Sinek, empathy in the workplace fosters a supportive environment by combating abstraction through the release of oxytocin. When empathy is absent, people see each other as abstract concepts rather than people. As a result, they focus on their own benefits, rather than the common goal. Read about the importance of empathy in the workplace, according to Sinek.

What is a “circle of safety” in Sinek’s conceptualization? How do you develop a circle of safety in your organization? According to Simon Sinek, a “circle of safety” is a company culture where employees’ needs are prioritized above the company’s profits. By putting your employees’ needs first, you create an environment where they feel safe to collaborate and innovate. Here’s how prioritizing your subordinates’ needs drives collaboration and innovation, according to Sinek.

What are the signs of toxic workplace culture? How does toxic work culture affect your employee’s performance and willingness to collaborate? Toxic workplace culture is a breeding ground for the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol stifles the release of oxytocin, the neurochemical which fosters empathy and trust. When employees lack empathy and trust toward one another, they’re much less likely to collaborate, seeing each other as competitors and threats to their own success. Here’s how a lack of empathy creates a toxic workplace culture.

Are your employees unwilling to collaborate? What can you, as a leader do, to encourage collaboration in your organization? The key to fostering collaboration in your organization is to nurture a higher purpose. When you and your subordinates are devoted to fulfilling this kind of purpose, the possibility that you’ll fail to do so becomes enough of a threat to encourage collaboration and strengthen the supportive environment. Here’s how having a higher purpose unites teams.

Do you feel like your organization has a supportive work environment? What can you, as a leader, do to cultivate a supportive work culture in your organization? In a supportive work environment, employees feel that you see them as people, rather than mere assets to increase profits. In his book Leaders Eat Last, management theorist Simon Sinek suggests three strategies to strengthen your supportive environment and encourage trust and collaboration. Let’s explore Sinek’s strategies for cultivating a supportive environment in the workplace.