Like any other organization, the Department of Education is also composed of individuals who have their own personality, similarities, differences and attitude..  As a member of this organization, being a Head Teacher in one of the schools in Pilar District, Division of Bataan, I can say that in the workplace or in the school environment, empathy is needed toshow deep respect for co-workers andto show as a manager that you care, as opposed to just going by rules and regulations. An empathic leadership style can make everyone feel like a team and increase productivity, morale and loyalty. Empathy is a powerful tool in the leadership belt of a well-liked and respected school manager.

            As Presley (2016) puts it, empathy is the ability to experience and relate to the thoughts, emotions or experience of others. Empathy is more than simple sympathy, which is being able to understand and support others with compassion or sensitivity.  Simply put, empathy is the ability to step into someone else’s shoes, be aware of their feelings and understand their needs.

            As a school head, it matters that we understand the needs of others.  Because by understanding others we develop closer relationship with our co-workers   In order for a team of workers and their leaders to work powerfully together,  and deepened closer relationships, they must be helping and understanding each other.  When this happens through empathy, trust is built in the team. When trust is built, good things begin to happen.

            The school managermust be able to possess three things to be emphatic. And these are listening, openness and understanding.

            Empathetic school managers, listen attentively to what you’re telling them, putting their complete focus on the person in front of them and not getting easily distracted. They spend more time listening than talking because they want to understand the difficulties others face, all of which helps to give those around them the feeling of being heard and recognized.

            Empathetic managers realize that the bottom line of any business is only reached through and with people. Therefore, they have an attitude of openness towards and understanding of the feelings and emotions of their team members.

When we understand our team, we have a better idea of the challenges ahead of us.

To drive home the above point, further consider these: Empathy allows us to feel safe with our failures because we won’t simply be blamed for them. It encourages leaders to understand the root cause behind poor performance. Being empathetic allows leaders to help struggling employees improve and excel.

            Empathy plays a major role in the workplace for every organization that will deal with failures, poor performance and employees who truly want to succeed. As leaders, our roles are simple—deals empathetically with the team and watch them build a strong and prosperous organization.

            By spending more time learning about the needs of their employees, leaders can set the tone and approach taken by their employees to achieve their organization’s goals.

            As Theodore Roosevelt, American statesman and author points out,“Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”

           

Reference:

                        D.Presley. Importance of Empathy www.delorespresley.com.2016.

By: Imelda N. Martin | Nagwaling Elementary School Pilar District | Pilar, Bataan