Empathy is a growing expectation among today’s workforce.  Experts say employees work harder for someone they believe cares about them and their unique needs.  But when there is a difference between how the employer thinks an employee feels and how the employee actually feels, an empathy gap occurs.

One example of an empathy gap is when a business owner expects their staff to work as hard as they do, when in fact, the employee’s commitment to the business is inherently different than the boss’.  

According to balancecareers.com, the empathy gap is a form of unconscious bias that may affect women more than men.  With more men in leadership positions than women, an empathy gap is almost unavoidable.  But understanding that there is such a thing as an empathy gap is the first step toward addressing this damaging dynamic – in the workplace and your personal life.