The Empathetic Workplace

If you work on an office or run an office, you should take the time to read my friend Katharine Mannings’ recently released book, The Empathetic Workplace. Katharine worked with victims for more than 25 years as a counselor, advocate, and attorney, including 15 years as the Justice Department's advisor on victim rights.

 “How leaders respond to the traumas that inevitably show up in their workplaces can determine the success or failure of the organization as a whole,” she writes in the opening chapter. “An empathetic response instills trust, which in turn increases productivity, reduces absenteeism and turnover, and enhances engagement and satisfaction.”

Katharine’s book details the many costs, financial and otherwise, when business as usual doesn’t take into account its most important asset–people. She walks readers through methods to respond to a variety of trauma that occur both inside and outside the office. Detailed ideas for employer-employee conversations are just part of this good read.

 Given her background, it’s easy to understand that after she left the Department of Justice Katharine moved on and is now providing training and consultation related to trauma and victimization to corporate, educational, and government institutions. Her company is Blackbird DC.