Laid end-to-end, publications about team communication would probably encircle the earth. It does seem that everyone has a strategy on how to achieve effective team communications. Seminars that teach leaders how to improve communication skills proliferate and “experts” in team communication abound.
Yet there is more to communication than a skilled delivery that is technically correct.
There is a level of communication below the spoken word that seeks not only to understand spoken words but also the emotional context of the message –. that part of the message that takes empathy to comprehend.
Empathy is the ability to imagine what another person might be feeling and clearly distinguishes between a passionate statement and one that is angry. People who are empathetic are curious and possess an honest desire to know and understand others. They are often excellent listeners and ask questions aimed at learning about people.
Empathy as a Component of Team Culture
A team culture that promotes empathy is one that paves the way for team collaboration. In this team, members listen carefully to each other and the result is clearer team communication with fewer misunderstandings. Therefore, empathy has a positive impact on how teams communicate that result in more precise communications that effect how they achieve goals.
When it comes to conflict resolution, the ability to understand diverse perspectives enables collaborative solutions to arise. And, when there is conflict between empathetic team members, they will acknowledge their own emotions but work to understand one another, too. This helps to root out the source of the conflict, which often comes with procedural misunderstandings. By so doing, and by acknowledging that employees have feelings and emotions that affect their work, there is more room for forgiveness and building collaborative resolutions.
Empathy and Team Communication
Facilitating empathy in communications along with formal strategies that broadcast
important business messages such as newsletters and pod casts build understanding and commitment in organizations. And when business cultures embrace empathy — where employees experience it daily in the form of respect, kindness and consideration and the willingness to understand – more gets done with less strife.
