Empathy is a familiar concept. What makes “The New Empathy” the focus of this year’s PAWLIK Congress?

Managers are facing unprecedented challenges when it comes to empathy. Over the past 12 to 15 months, the pandemic has forced us to maintain physical distance in ways we’ve never experienced before. Remote work, virtual leadership, and online training have become the norm – and to some extent, they’re here to stay. Looking ahead, we anticipate hybrid work models, where employees split their time between the office and working from home. This shift presents a new test for leaders: fostering a sense of connection despite physical separation and ensuring that employees, regardless of their location, feel equally engaged and included.

How does physical distance change things?

Early studies suggest that virtual collaboration can negatively impact our ability to empathize. How can you truly read someone when you’re seeing them in two dimensions, cropped to the shoulders, with no chance for direct eye contact? Just yesterday, I came across a LinkedIn post from a social media manager who reflected on her first year at a major tech company. She expressed gratitude for the fantastic time she had with her colleagues – even though she had never met them “in real life.” Imagine working for a year without any in-person contact!

While this employee seemed to have coped well,

such experiences can take a toll on most people. Research confirms this. With fewer in-person interactions, employees’ emotional needs from their managers increase significantly. They want to feel seen, valued, and included. They crave transparency. Without these elements, dissatisfaction and uncertainty can set in, driving up burnout rates.

This new way of working creates a gap between the tools managers have at their disposal and the growing expectations of their teams. Emotional engagement with the organization is at risk. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to bridge this divide. At the PAWLIK Congress, we aim to tackle this challenge head-on and explore ways to cultivate what we call “the new empathy.”

Prominent speakers have been coming to the Pawlik Congress for 20 years. Who will address “the new empathy”?

This year, we are excited to welcome Sigmar Gabriel, Sabina Jeschke, Heino Falcke, Alena Buyx, Joe Kaeser, and an exclusive guest who will be revealed on the eve of the event.

For more details about the PAWLIK Congress, visit our Homepage.