“Put yourself in their shoes.” “Listen with your heart.” “See the world through their eyes.”
Empathy takes on many expressive forms in our daily lives. And in the modern workplace, it’s increasingly recognized as a crucial skill at every level of an organization, from HR professionals to people managers to the C-suite.
As organizations strive to create more inclusive and supportive environments, the ability to understand and relate to employees' emotions and experiences is vital. Empathy enables leaders to connect with their teams on a deeper level, fostering trust, open communication, and job satisfaction, all of which are essential for collaboration, productivity, and innovation.
Attendees at the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2024 (SHRM24) have several opportunities to learn more about the importance of empathy in the workplace—and how to transform it into a strategic asset that enhances leadership effectiveness and organizational resilience.
Check out the following sessions, each available in person in Chicago at McCormick Place convention center and virtually, that can help HR pros and other leaders build, enhance, and maximize this vital skill set for themselves and their organization. All times are Central time.
Monday, June 24
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Presenter: Jodi Glickman, CEO and founder of Great On The Job
Empathy isn’t a skill to be learned; it’s a muscle we need to flex. Demonstrating compassion and working to connect with others has been shown to be a top trait of the most effective leaders. Glickman uses the framework of “GIFT” (Generosity, Initiative, Forward Momentum, and Transparency) to help attendees navigate the path toward becoming more empathetic leaders.
Breaking Binary Barriers: Leading with Empathy in a Divided World
11 a.m.-noon
Presenter: Fadjanie Cadet, SHRM-CP, director of diversity and inclusion at Forrester
This session delves into the critical importance of discouraging binary mindsets to help organizations move away from divisive “us vs. them" rhetoric and embrace empathy, which fuels inclusion. In a world increasingly characterized by polarization, teams and leadership will need to have the tools necessary to cultivate a more willing, compassionate, and understanding future.
Human Touch in a High-Tech World: Navigating the Future of Work with Empathy and Connection
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Presenter: Jolene Church, CEO of DJC Consulting, Coaching & Training LLC
In the midst of our paradigm shift toward artificial intelligence integration and hybrid work models, this session explores the crucial balance between embracing technological advancements and preserving the irreplaceable value of human connection in the workplace. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable insights and strategies to make human empathy a core component of their organizational culture in this high-tech era.
Leveraging an Empathic Culture to Create Advantage
12:30-1:30 p.m. (repeats Tuesday, June 25 at same time)
Presenter: Dave Barnett, chief administrative officer at DeVry University
Barnett shares how HR leaders can navigate challenges and redefine the employer-employee relationship amid continuous global shifts in what we do and how we work. Attendees will learn strategies to intentionally shape a caring, empathy-driven culture while enabling the achievement of exceptional results.
EI in the Age of AI : The Increasing Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
2-3 p.m.
Presenter: Nejat Abdurahman, founder of N-BAC
This highly interactive session focuses on the importance and benefits of emotional intelligence (EI), empathy, and compassion for effective leadership. Attendees will learn the five core competencies of EI along with steps that leaders can take to develop them.
Empathy as a Recruitment Superpower: The Key to Perfecting Candidate Personas
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Presenter: Jodi Brandstetter, founder and lead facilitator at By Design Brainery
By cultivating empathy during the recruitment process, you can gain unique insight into candidates’ motivations, aspirations, and potential fit within your organization. Learn how to go beyond surface-level data to uncover the human stories behind the resumes by creating meticulously crafted candidate personas that serve as invaluable tools for making more informed and successful hiring decisions.
Tuesday, June 25
Empathy: The New Work Culture Norm
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Presenter: Jeremy York, SHRM-SCP, lead consultant and president at InvigorateHR LLC
Leading with empathy and valuing people for who they are can have a significant impact on the workforce. This session explores how we can make these efforts a part of our everyday actions. Attendees will learn the various types of empathy and discuss how to strengthen empathy skills, remove the roadblocks that inhibit those skills, and develop a plan of action for creating a more empathetic culture.
Leveraging an Empathic Culture to Create Advantage
12:30-1:30 p.m. (see Monday, June 24 at same time for session details)
From Algorithms to Empathy: Harnessing AI to Build Authentic Human Connections in Recruitment
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Presenter: Katrina Kibben, CEO of Three Ears Media
If embracing AI ethically in your recruiting and HR process has been on your to-do list, this session is for you. Kibben, a job post writing expert, reveals how to use AI to humanize recruiting to create a future of work your team can be proud of. Attendees will leave this session knowing how to query AI, measure results, and address biases with hiring managers.
An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.
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