5.Empathy
Empathy is the ability to comprehend and experience the feelings of another living being. This trait is one of the core team building elements because it breeds trust and safety within group settings. According to the Harvard Business Review, employees with empathetic leaders and coworkers are happier and more productive at work.
Empathy allows you to identify the real root of problems within your team by providing a window into other team members’ logic and motivations. You will understand a team member’s reasoning, even if you disagree with the conclusion. As a result, you are less likely to argue and more likely to lead the group towards a consensus.
Compassion and understanding also deepen bonds within teams and lead to better relationships. All of us have lives outside the office; our job titles are only one portion of our identities. To foster empathy, you should take interest in teammates as human beings, not just workers. You can engage colleagues in casual conversations and encourage other team members to do the same. You can also lead your team through role playing exercises to encourage coworkers to adopt different perspectives and gain new insight.
