Empathy
Empathy
Define Empathy:
Empathy is more than just trying to acknowledge other people’s feelings. Empathy is understanding and appropriately responding to other’s emotions; essentially putting yourself in their shoes. It is vital for maintaining healthy relationships and building trust.
Empathy Is
- Understanding Other’s Feelings:
This involves acknowledging and experiencing another person’s feelings alongside them. - Non-judgemental Support:
It is important to offer support while being open to other’s experiences and emotions, without personal bias or criticism. - Active Listening:
This involves being full engaged and concentrating on when others are speaking. It is important to listen without interrupting and jumping to conclusions. - Being Present:
This involves acknowledging and responding to verbal and non-verbal cues such as body language, tone of voice and facial expressions.
Empathy Isn't
- Being Indifferent or Dismissive
- Giving Unsolicited Advice
- Interrupting, Judging, Minimising
- Showing Pity: sympathy is not the same as empathy
Four Ways to be more empathetic
Validate their Feelings: Recognise and Affirm their feelings
For example, “I can see why you’re upset. I would feel the same”, “Your feelings
are completely valid.”
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encouraging others to engage in conversations and
share their experiences.
For example, “How did that make you feel?”, “Can you tell me more?”, “Why
do you think you felt that way?
Reflect Back Their Feelings: This helps others feel heard and understood and can
also ensure that you are gaining the correct perspective of their feelings
For Example, “It sounds like that upset you…” “I can see that you are
frustrated…”
Offer Support, Not Solutions:
For example, “I’m here for you if you want to talk about it.”