By Emmchel Dudu

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.