Usman Okoroigwe has been struggling with unemployment since the
advent of the Covid-19 pandemic. Usman worked as a hospitality manager in a
popular hotel chain. He had been with the company for over a decade and had
worked his way up from an entry-level position to a managerial role. However,
when the pandemic hit and travel restrictions were imposed, the hotel industry
suffered a severe blow.
As the hotel occupancy plummeted, Usman’s position was declared
redundant due to the financial strain the company was experiencing. It was a
devastating blow for him, as he had dedicated a significant portion of his
career to the hotel industry and built a strong professional network. Usman’s
story reflects the harsh reality faced by many individuals who have been struggling
with unemployment since the Covid-19 pandemic began. It highlights the
long-lasting impact of economic disruptions and the challenges in finding new
job opportunities in a rapidly changing job market.
Like other workers who lost their jobs, Usman’s mental health
plummeted. A survey was
conducted among adults in selected African countries using WhatsApp, Facebook,
and emails between April and May 2020, when those countries were under lockdown
due to the pandemic. The survey included adult respondents – the majority (27%)
were from Nigeria. Almost all Nigerians reported mental health symptoms
(89.9%). About half of Nigerians reported feeling anxious (44.9%) or worried
(47.1%). Almost a third reported being frustrated (31.7%). A sixth were angry
(18.5%), and almost two-thirds (59.2%) reported boredom during the lockdown. In
the wake of this unprecedented state of mental health among the workforce,
empathetic leadership has become essential to cultivating a workplace culture
that acknowledges and supports individual needs, fosters resilience, and boosts
overall well-being.
Newmark Group Limited, a pan-African Integrated Marketing and
Communications Company, emerged as a shining example of empathetic leadership.
When the pandemic necessitated a transition to remote work, the company made a
pivotal decision that defined its empathetic approach—it chose to continue
paying its employees full salaries when many other companies either slashed
their employees’ salaries or retrenched others. This helped the employees feel
at ease, ensuring their financial stability and peace of mind. This
compassionate act thus laid the foundation for a post-pandemic world where
empathy and employee well-being remained the core principles of Newmark’s
leadership philosophy.
Embracing
Empathy and Inclusive Leadership
The importance of empathy by leaders is further shown in reports
carried out between the 2020 pandemic and now. 77% of respondents to a Deloitte survey
agreed that empathy is a crucial leadership skill, especially in times of
crisis. Additionally, a study by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) found that leaders who demonstrate empathy
are viewed as more effective by their employees and have higher levels of
engagement and job satisfaction within their teams.
This proves the essence of leaders actively seeking diverse
perspectives and ensuring that marginalised voices are heard. This will
prioritise the well-being of their employees, as leaders will pay attention to
not just their physical safety but also their mental health, work-life balance,
and overall well-being. Human-centric leaders understand the power of empathy
in driving meaningful connections, fostering inclusivity, and building
resilient organizations. By valuing diversity, equality, and inclusion, leaders
can tap into the full potential of their teams.
Prioritizing
Employee Well-Being:
Creating a work-life balance-friendly environment for leaders to
support employee well-being is important. Leaders can establish flexible work
schedules, provide resources and assistance for mental health issues, and
encourage self-care behaviours. This will foster a healthy workforce by
investing in the total well-being of their workforce, which will also increase
productivity and creativity.
Empathy and compassion must be at the core of leadership in a
post-pandemic world. Putting employee well-being first shows dedication to
people’s growth and success and directly affects organisational performance.
Empathy should be embraced even by those who are not yet leaders for the
benefit of both individuals and the organisation. We should engage in
human-centric leadership and create a future marked by compassion,
understanding, and growth.
Moving forward, it’s important to recognise the necessity for
health and well-being workplace technology disruption. This disruption should
go beyond wearable devices and smartphone health-tracking apps. This will
create an environment that optimises their health, productivity, and
satisfaction. The future of work can be reshaped by embracing these changes
that prioritise the holistic well-being of the workforce.
As leaders, employees, and communities, we have the power to
create a post-pandemic world where empathy, inclusive leadership, and digital
workplace technology converge. Our transformative journey involves combining
compassion and innovation to establish human-centric leadership as the norm.
This will enable us to achieve new heights of success, well-being, and
fulfilment.
Emmchel Dudu
is a Public Relations & Communications Strategist with an active background
in journalism, creative writing and a multitalented career developer. She is a
Senior Associate at the Newmark Group Ltd., Nigeria, and holds a track record
in comprehensive strategic communication, media relations, reputation and
crisis management. Emmchel doubles as a professional fashion designer,
illustrator and consultant with over 5 years of experience in the industry.
