Title: Empathetic management skills developed through awareness of social learning and individual employee needs

Authors: Jillian R. Williamson Yarbrough

Addresses: West Texas A&M University, WTAMU Box 60768, Canyon, 79016, Texas, USA

Abstract: Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of others. Increasingly, empathy is recognised as a critical management competency. While common competencies like communication and motivation are generally taught in management related courses, teaching the contemporary management competency of empathy is less common and is arguably more challenging. Common strategies for teaching empathy in a face-to-face learning environment include modelling empathy, defining empathy, and creating opportunities for learners to experience empathy. But how can these experienced based common teaching strategies translate to an online management course? The following proposes and describes the application of a teaching strategy that combines social learning theory, Maslow's hierarchy of needs and zoom to facilitate an online learning environment where managerial empathy can develop in online students.

Keywords: empathy; management; empathetic management; social learning theory; Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2023.131665

International Journal of Teaching and Case Studies, 2023 Vol.14 No.1, pp.64 - 87

Received: 31 Mar 2023
Accepted: 17 Apr 2023
Published online: 22 Jun 2023 *

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