When leaders think employees should feel one way about their job, and the employee actually feels differently, an empathy gap occurs.  Balancecareers.com recommends that leaders who acknowledge this problem do these eight things to change the dynamic.

  • Challenge yourself.  
  • Get out of your usual environment.
  • Get feedback.
  • Explore your heart, not just your head.  
  • Walk in others’ shoes.
  • Examine your biases.
  • Cultivate your sense of curiosity.
  • And, finally, ask better questions.  

These are ways to increase empathy for the people who report to you.  Introducing these opportunities to increase empathy to your team might also help improve interdepartmental relationships.  Empathy creates genuine connections between people.  When each person understands how others view their relationship to the business, they’re better equipped to support each other and increase job satisfaction.