Nigeria as a country is a place with a diverse workforce and where human resources play a crucial role in managing people, fostering inclusion and promoting a better and positive workplace culture.
It’s a country where jobs are limited and not in excess compared to the western world. And for aspiring HR professionals, the certifications and skills are important but what sets them apart is the empathy they show the employees.
That’s what makes a leader, especially a governing leader, who determines what goes on in the company.
Empathy allows HRs to build trust amongst themselves. It makes them understand what the employees need to be able to build the company.
This also allows HR professionals to develop policies that will genuinely support the well-being of their staff. Without this, the company might be stagnant or with low productivity.
Here are why HR Professionals should encourage empathy with their leadership.
First, Nigeria is a country of diversity. A place with many tribes, cultural and educational backgrounds.
While this promotes strength because people from backgrounds are coming together with their talent and skills, it could also be a problem if the HR are not properly focused on the needs of each employee.
There are so many challenges that could arise as a result of the workplace landscape which includes long working hours, job insecurity, work-life balance, late salaries and many more and without empathetic HR professionals, there might be a problem.
Another reason HR professionals should be empathetic is the bridge. HR experts serve as the bridge between the employees and the management.
When the link is damaged or without empathy, there could be miscommunication amongst them leading to queries, low productivity and eventually termination.
When an employee feels settled and can trust their HR, they are more likely to trust the management as well, promoting open communication.
Employee turnover can be high in Nigeria, particularly in sectors like tech, banking, and oil and gas, where employees often jump from one opportunity to another.
Here comes empathy. Empathy fosters a supportive work environment, which can improve job satisfaction and reduce turnover rates.
Even with the developing mindset in the country, many Nigerian workplaces still operate under hierarchical structures that can prevent open communication and empathy.
This makes it even more challenging for HR leaders to champion empathy in an environment where “tough love” approaches are often valued.
Change begins with one individual. For aspiring HR professionals, to cultivate empathy, you need listening skills, cultural competence, emotional intelligence and many more. You can have success stories in an empathetic environment.
Empathy is not just a “nice-to-have” trait but a very important skill for HR professionals in Nigeria.
A leader can create workplaces where employees feel valued, understood, and motivated to give their best.
Empathy is the foundation that will help them drive positive change, promote open communication, foster loyalty, and support the long-term success of Nigerian businesses.
About Della Adegbenro
Della Adegbenro is a dedicated HR professional and Client Service Manager who believes in creating inclusive and positive workplaces.
With a strong background in sociology, industrial relations and personnel management, she’s passionate about engaging employees to help them feel valued and productive.
Outside of work, Della values personal growth, family time, and discovering new places around the world.
