Research shows one of the most important needs employees desire at work is recognition. I submit that employees also desire compassion at work. They want to know when a mistake occurs, and they will make mistakes, management will see the issue from the employees point of view.

When mistakes are made, the priority is not to berate the employee for making the error, the priority is to determine a solution. Management, however, often prioritizes their focus on determining who is responsible for the mistake and making them feel guilty.

Blame accomplishes nothing.

Showing compassion while determining a solution creates an environment of partnership with your employees. Compassion means you deal with people with grace.

Having a spirit of grace in the workplace does not mean if an employee continues to make the same mistake, we should overlook the issue. The first mistake requires a joint approach to finding a solution. The second time the same mistake happens, more intensive coaching is required. The third same mistake becomes a serious issue.

Continuous mistakes, however, will be very rare with proper coaching and a spirit of compassion.

Compassion works at work.