The Missing Skill Hurting Our Trade Workforce

In the trade sector, we often prioritise the technical aspects of the job, like cost-saving measures, efficiency, and meeting deadlines. But in doing so, we frequently overlook a skill that can make a huge difference in team performance: empathy.

Whether a team member is distracted, disengaged, or unable to attend work, we can't always create a solution if it's outside our control or the work environment. Yet, we can still influence them to perform their best at work. We do this by seeking to understand through empathy and offering support where possible.

Andrew Hopkins, a recent guest on the Tradies Who Lead podcast, shared that one of his foremen called in 'sick' for the day because he had a newborn awake all night.

"[I realised that] if I weren't a parent, I'd be like: but your wife is at home, you've got parents that can help." Yet, being a parent allowed Hopkins to empathise with the challenges of parenthood and act supportive instead of critical towards his foreman's leave. The support made his team members feel valued and understood in the work environment, so they wanted to perform well.

Hopkins' empathy wasn't limited to one situation. Another of his team members regularly requested the 21st of December off for his daughter's birthday, which was "the busiest day of the year" for Hopkins and his team. Although challenging, Hopkins learned that empathy and understanding went a long way in fostering loyalty and motivation.

Acting with empathy and understanding that his team had different values and priorities, Hopkins would support the leave, even with the added stress. Yet, because he acted empathetically, he could better connect with and help his team so they felt valued. This approach flowed on to impact his team's overall wellbeing and performance.

Empathy means understanding our team's needs, even when we don't share their challenges. While we can't always offer flexibility, empathy ensures that we create a supportive environment where everyone feels understood. Prioritising empathy in the trades sector can drive better engagement and wellbeing and improve performance.

How can you act with more empathy in your role?

Written by Ashley Belteky