“Empathy isn't just about connecting with someone's feelings, it's about asking, 'What comes next?' without immediately jumping into fixing the problem.”

In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession and guest Liesel Mertes discuss the significant impact of empathy in the workplace and beyond. The conversation highlights how the industrial age has shaped our belief system and the critical need for a shift towards more human-centric skills in the age of artificial intelligence. Liesel also shares insights from her consultancy, Handle with Care Consulting, and introduces empathy avatars such as "Fix It Frank" and "Cheer Up Cheryl," illustrating practical tools for fostering trust and empowerment within teams.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The balance between technology's benefits and threats to human connection and empathy
• The detrimental effects of excessive technology use on children and how parents can proactively manage screen time
• The importance of creating safe, inclusive environments at work that foster empathy and its spillover into personal lives

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Do we need a workplace empathy consultant?

(01:19) The challenge of empathy in the workplace

(04:10) Creating a culture of trust and empathy

(09:52) Impact of technology on empathy

(20:00) Empathy in leadership and management

(27:44) Balancing empathy and productivity at work

(28:59) How to train managers for empathy

(31:43) Practical tips for empathetic listening

(45:29) Why empathy is crucial in business

Connect with Liesel Mertes:

Website: https://www.lieselmertes.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieselmertes/

Connect with Rebecca:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/