EMPATHY IN BUSINESS
 
“People often confuse the words empathy and sympathy. Empathy means the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, whereas sympathy means ‘feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else’s misfortune”  Oxford Dictionaries @ Oxforddictionaries.com
 
 Gaining empathy in our communication with others is essential –  or so we are told. But in normal business interactions is it viable? I suppose that all depends what you perceive as an empathetic relationship.
 
 In formal encounters like business meetings we are told we should try to build rapport and be empathetic. But often we get so caught up in our own role in the process that we simply do not have enough capacity to relate at an emotion level with the other participants.
 
 According to Feshbach and  Kukenbecker (1974), empathy has 3 essential parts,

• The ability to assume the other persons perspective – Easily said but not so easy to put into practice especially in Sales meetings and negotiations where all parties are to some extent being “resistant”. Quite often this amounts to “treating them how you would want to be treated”- which in itself is wrong because they are not you!

 

• The ability to tune into others feelings – Feelings are expressed in many ways both verbally and non-verbally and are a natural part of the communication process.The signals we send give insights of our feelings and intentions. Whilst you could learn all about micro facial expressions and other non verbal cues the truth is that just by deploying empathetic listening you will begin to pick up and respond to the other persons “rhythm” naturally.

 

• The ability to connect at an emotional level with the other person - This is where the real problems come in. When engaged in any form of purposeful business conversations where do you draw that line? In terms of emotional engagement this decision alone can make or break the “relationship”. In many instances individuals who are involved in negotiations will be - or feel – exposed and this triggers our bodies natural defence mechanisms making it even harder to build empathy and rapport, as they are in unfamiliar territory.

 
 So, in the terms of formal business interactions, my contention is that the role of empathy has to be considered carefully. Empathy is not easy achievable - but an understanding of the commonality that exists between both parties can be conveyed and understood. Mutual understanding of the others position and a respect for them as a human being and equal is more achievable and in my opinion right for the situation.
 
I shall be making a short presentation to CAP meetings in the near future based on this blog entitled ALF – Always listen first.
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What do you want Gloucestershire to look like in 2050?
I’ve been talking at CAP, other business networking groups and with businesses and I’m shocked with how few people are aware that currently there is a consultation going on in Gloucestershire. Glos2050 is all about setting the strategy for what Gloucestershire will look like in 2050. It proposes 8 ambitions and 6 ideas and wants feedback now.
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The Eight Glos2050 Ambitions

1. A magnet county: We would like to see a growing working age population, by keeping and attracting more 18-40 year olds with high level qualifications, who want to live and work in the county.
2. An innovative county: We would like to see more businesses starting up, growing, and investing in research and innovation.
3. A skilled county: We would like to see more people with high-level skills and jobs in skilled occupations.
4. A prosperous county: We would like to see rising productivity and household income, offering higher living standards.
5. An inclusive county: We would like the economic and social benefits of growth to be felt by all.
6. A healthy, happy county: We would like people to have a good work/life balance and to see improved health and wellbeing.
7. A connected county: We would like to see improved transport and internet connections so that people and businesses can connect with each other more easily.
8. A sustainable county: We would like to see more efficient use of resources and more use of sustainable energy.

And The Six Glos2050 Ideas

1. A super city combining Cheltenham and Gloucester
2. A cyberpark
3. A Cotswold Airport
4. An expanded Cotswold Waterpark
5. A Bridge connecting Lydney and Sharpness
6. 2 Regional Parks- The Severn Vale and the Forest of Dean

Finding Out MoreThe consultation is available at https://glos2050.com/ . Please go there to find out more information and also to participate before 31st July 2018.

The Forest of Dean District Council is also reaching out to people who live, work and play in the Forest in order to set the economic strategies through to 2050. Its Forest Economic Partnership is looking for individuals who are happy to participate in sub-groups to discuss and agree the best way forward for the Forest as a whole.

To find out more visit the FEP stand at the Forest Enterprise Fair being held at Vantage Point Conference Centre on 18th April between 10-4. It’s also a great opportunity to network, take advantage of free training and meet other Forest businesses.