Cash flow, creativity and compassion are not mutually exclusive.

Our new HR Matters podcast guest Maria Ross discovered how empathy is the superpower of marketers while working as a brand strategist, researched the competitive advantages of empathy to customers and employees, and poured it all into her book ‘The Empathy Edge’.

This episode is about putting empathy to work.

Empathy is a mindset, a method of perspective taking: seeing the world from another person’s point of view. It doesn’t mean you have to agree, but that you have an understanding of their context and see them as a whole human being.

It’s about gathering information from taking that other perspective and then using that insight to make informed decisions that are actually appreciated.

When you have happy, fulfilled employees who feel seen, heard and valued, they’re going to innovate more, collaborate better and deliver an amazing customer experience.

Your business practice can make empathy the default mode of operation when you build an environment where empathy is rewarded, modelled and acknowledged.

As humans, we are wired for empathy. It’s a muscle you can strengthen to get to ‘I want more of this, let’s keep going.’