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Empathy as a Wellness Driver in the Workplace

In: The Palgrave Handbook of Fulfillment, Wellness, and Personal Growth at Work

Author

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  • Jody A. Worley

    (University of Oklahoma)

Abstract

Consider that the quality of our lives as humans is at least somewhat contingent upon the quality of our relationships with other humans. Few, if any, would argue strongly against that. Consider also, then, that the quality of our relationships is contingent, at least in part, upon the quality of our communication. Communication effectiveness requires the ability to consider perspectives other than one’s own. Empathy is a cumbersome concept not easily defined, but generally understood as involving the ability to understand and communicate one’s understanding of another person’s emotion. Thus, empathy is an ability-based, interactional relationship-building process, in addition to being an affective-based emotional concept. Based on evidence from neurobiology and social neuroscience that empathy is not simply a subjective feeling that we have for others, but also a responsive action that we share with others in the workplace and in human relations with them, this chapter reviews current literature to explore how empathy may function as a multiplier for wellness. Empathy facilitates social interaction in many ways that are linked to positive health outcomes. Empathy is thought to also play a foundational role in morality, supporting the notion of empathy as a wellness driver for self and others.

Suggested Citation

  • Jody A. Worley, 2023. "Empathy as a Wellness Driver in the Workplace," Springer Books, in: Joan Marques (ed.), The Palgrave Handbook of Fulfillment, Wellness, and Personal Growth at Work, chapter 0, pages 231-250, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-35494-6_12
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-35494-6_12
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