Why should companies care about caring ?
In the realm of business culture, you’re more likely to hear about intellectual concepts like innovation, creativity, or transparency. But a recent study published in Administrative Science Quarterly suggests that a positive emotional culture at work—what might be dismissed as “touchy-feely”—is associated with benefits for customers and employees. And when their satisfaction goes up, profits usually follow.
Researchers at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and the George Mason University School of Business examined what they call a “culture of companionate love,” which involves feelings of affection, compassion, caring, and tenderness among co-workers at long-term care facilities. It turned out that a strong culture of companionate love predicted benefits all around: less burnout, fewer unplanned absences, more teamwork, and higher work satisfaction for employees; fewer emergency room trips and higher mood, satisfaction, and quality of life for patients; and more satisfaction with the facility and willingness to recommend it for families.
Caring is part of the job description in health care, particularly in long-term care facilities, where residents may struggle with feelings of boredom, loneliness, and dependence. But could a culture of companionate love be associated with benefits in other industries as well? To test this, the study authors surveyed over 3,200 employees from other industries about their culture, and found some initial support: stronger cultures of companionate love meant more job satisfaction, commitment to the organization, and accountability for work performance.
The key is leadership, argue the researchers. “For decades, management scholars have encouraged leaders to take ownership of their cognitive culture,” they write. “Similarly, leaders would do well to think about and take ownership of emotional culture.” This may come down to simply encouraging people to express themselves. Culture is built on thousands of simple gestures and comments—the difference between encouraging employees to share their struggles and telling someone to get back to work, between a compassionate smile and a raised eyebrow. Where and when appropriate, more touch can communicate warm and positive feelings that we might have suppressed before. Employees can decorate and personalize their desks, add some color and art to the walls, and start rituals of celebration around birthdays or work anniversaries.
As this study suggests, such steps might not only be associated with happier health care workers. It may also be linked to the quality of service employees provide to patients and customers.