Connecting Through Empathy
By Terre Short
Sympathy, empathy, and compassion are similar in that they involve emotions. Otherwise, they are quite different. Sympathy is feeling for someone, and empathy is feeling with someone. Compassion is typically in response to sympathy or empathy. It has been said that compassion is empathy in action.
When a bird hits the windshield of your car, sympathy is the sadness you feel for the bird. Empathy is the flinch you feel when it hits – you feel the hurt. Compassion is when you say a blessing for the bird. A friend of mine says, “May your next life be most auspicious” whenever she encounters wildlife that has left this world.
Empathy is a key component of Emotional Intelligence and is stated as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It is a cognitive process that involves taking the perspective of another person and understanding their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Compassion is an emotional response that is based on empathy.
To feel compassion for someone, we need to first understand what they are going through. Empathy allows us to connect with others on a deeper level and to feel their pain as if it were our own. This can be a powerful motivator for taking action to help them.
What if we have never actually walked in the shoes of the person we want to empathize with? How can we relate if we have never had a similar experience? Here are some tips on how to empathize better, which also creates the ability to respond compassionately.
- Be a good listener. One of the best ways to empathize with someone is to simply listen to them. Pay attention to what they are saying, both verbally and non-verbally. Try to understand their perspective and see things from their point of view.
- Ask questions. If you are not sure what someone is feeling, ask them questions. This will help you to better understand their situation and how they are feeling.
- Be open-minded. Everyone has different experiences and perspectives. Try to see things from their point of view, even if you don’t agree with it.
- Be respectful. Perhaps they are going through a difficult time, and they may not be in the best state of mind. Be patient and understanding and avoid any judgment.
We can empathize with someone’s suffering without feeling compelled to help them. Compassion, on the other hand, is an active desire to help someone who is suffering. It is a willingness to put aside our own needs and to focus on the needs of others.
Compassion is often more difficult than empathy. It requires us to step outside of ourselves and to connect with someone on a deeper level. Compassion fueled by empathy is a powerful force for good in the world. It can help us to connect with others, to build strong relationships, and to make the world a better place. Ultimately, we will normalize wellbeing in the workplace when leaders lean into their empathetic skills and act compassionately.
In next week’s article, we will provide an example of how to speak with someone who you suspect is struggling.
