18 Jul Balancing Workplace Empathy and Personal Well-Being for Health Leaders
Leading with Empathy: Balancing Care for Your Team and Yourself
Health sector leaders are facing unprecedented challenges, with the need to support their teams while managing their own well-being. Workplace empathy has become an essential strategy to tackle these issues, particularly as burnout and retention concerns rise. This article provides practical strategies to balance workplace empathy and personal well-being, helping health leaders maintain their resilience and effectiveness. Learn from respected leaders and experts about self-care and sustaining energy while leading with empathy.
Key Strategies for Workplace Empathy
To sustainably support others, health executives must first prioritize their own well-being. Maintaining personal health ensures they have the energy and resilience needed to lead effectively. While supporting others can be a source of energy and purpose, it can also lead to burnout if leaders neglect their own needs or fall into the trap of over-functioning—feeling overly responsible for resolving their team’s challenges.
- Clarify Boundaries: Understand the line between empathy and over-functioning. Workplace empathy involves being a supportive presence, but it doesn’t mean taking on the responsibility of solving others’ problems.
- Utilize Available Resources: Be aware of the resources available to your team members. Knowing these in advance can help you guide them effectively.
- Plan Your Approach: Have a strategy for suggesting resources. This might include discussing options like medical leave, reduced workloads, or role changes to support mental health.
- Practice Self-Care: Prioritize your own self-care and model it for others. This includes maintaining healthy habits, taking breaks, and seeking support when needed.
- Set Healthy Boundaries: Determine where your boundaries lie in holding space for others. It’s important to support without overextending yourself.Real-Life Example: Dr. Eric Topol
Real-Life Example: Dr. Eric Topol
Dr. Eric Topol, a pioneering cardiologist and digital medicine researcher, is a well-known advocate for the integration of digital technologies in healthcare. In his book Deep Medicine: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Healthcare Human Again, Dr. Topol discusses the importance of leveraging technology to reduce burnout among healthcare providers and to create more time for patient care. Dr. Topol practices mindfulness and regular exercise, which he has publicly discussed as essential components of his routine to maintain his energy and focus. By prioritizing his well-being, Dr. Topol has been able to lead his team effectively, drive significant advancements in digital medicine, and support his patients with genuine empathy and care. His approach serves as a practical example for other health leaders.
Applying Workplace Empathy
When applying these strategies, consider the following:
- Know Your Limits: Identify when someone needs more assistance from a qualified professional. This might involve referring them to in-house resources or external support like employee assistance programs or local mental health services.
- Active Listening and Empathy: From the principles of Dare to Lead, practice active listening. Understand that what someone shares is their truth. Imagine their emotions and validate their feelings by acknowledging them. Simple statements like, “I don’t know what to say but thank you for telling me. What are you feeling right now?” can be incredibly powerful.
- Provide Practical Options: Offer tangible options within your control. This could include adjusting workloads or roles to support their mental health better.
- Refer Appropriately: When necessary, refer individuals to appropriate resources. Be familiar with local support services and have a list of contacts readily available.
- Establish Company Policies: Ensure your organization has clear policies regarding mental health support. This transparency helps employees know what to expect and where to find help.
It’s important to ensure you are not at risk from “Empathy Burnout.” For more information, take a look at the article on empathy fatigue here.
Reflective Questions
To further enhance your approach to workplace empathy, consider these reflective questions:
- What are your current boundaries when it comes to supporting others at work?
- How do you practice self-care on a daily basis?
- What resources are available within your organization to support mental health?
- How can you model healthy behaviours for your team?
- Check-in with your wiser, elder self: Take a moment to envision your future, wiser self. What advice would they offer you about balancing empathy and well-being? How would they guide you in taking care of yourself while supporting others?
Expert Insights on Workplace Empathy
- Dr. Brené Brown on Empathy: “Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It’s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ‘You’re not alone.’”
- Dr. Kristin Neff on Self-Compassion: “With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we’d give to a good friend. This is crucial for leaders who are often hard on themselves while supporting others.”
- Dr. Daniel Goleman on Emotional Intelligence: “Empathy represents the foundation skill for all the social competencies important for work. Without empathy, we lack the ability to manage relationships, negotiate conflict, and navigate social complexities.”
- Shirzad Chamine on Positive Intelligence: “Mental fitness is your capacity to respond to life’s challenges with a positive rather than a negative mindset. By building your mental fitness, you can better support yourself and others, maintaining resilience and empathy without burning out.”
Driving Transformational Change: Cultivating a Thriving Team Culture
Balancing empathy with personal well-being is crucial for sustainable leadership in the health sector. Health executives can maintain their energy and effectiveness by clarifying boundaries, utilizing available resources, and practicing self-care. Leaders like Dr. Eric Topol demonstrate how prioritizing well-being enables them to lead with empathy and drive innovation.
Key Takeaways:
- Prioritize self-care to sustain energy and resilience.
- Establish clear boundaries to prevent over-functioning.
- Utilize and promote mental health resources within your organization.
- Have a pre-thought way of addressing others who need support.
Enhance Your Leadership with Empathy and Well-Being
Leading with empathy while prioritizing your well-being is not an easy task and often requires support to create the right balance. Executive Coaching can be an excellent tool for developing these skills and also counts towards managing your own wellbeing. Reach out for an exploration call to find out more about how to get your own self-care on track and support your team in a way that is healthy for you and for them.