What is it : Empathy
Empathy is connecting with people so we know we’re not alone when we’re in struggle. Empathy is a way to connect to the emotion another person is experiencing; it doesn’t require that we have experienced the same situation they are going through.
A ‘golden rule’ of empathy is simply: ‘Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.
Common Signs : Empathy
Empathy shows itself most obviously where it is absent. You might recognise some of these which are often signs of other factors at play:
- Difficulty understanding or relating to others’ feelings
- Inability to put oneself in someone else’s shoes
- Difficulty recognising or validating others’ emotions or well being
- Problems building or maintaining relationships
- Lack of compassion or understanding towards others
- Lack of ability to give or receive constructive criticism
- Difficulty in understanding or interpreting nonverbal cues
- Struggle to provide emotional support or comfort to
- Lack of remorse or guilt for one’s actions that may cause harm
Tackling it : Empathy
Often we have things dominating our own life that results in a reduced capacity for empathy. Developing it as a skill means you can still retain empathy at these times. It is not easy but that is why it is such a valuable skill.
That’s where we can help. Here are some of the benefits you can achieve:
- Improved relationships: understand and connect with others, fostering stronger and more meaningful relationships
- New perspectives: seeing and understanding other’s perspectives
- Improved communication: more effective and sensitive manner
- Increased compassion: more understanding and compassionate
- Improved emotional intelligence: better understanding and management of our own emotions
- Improved decision-making: considering wider perspectives leads to more thoughtful and ethical decision-making
- Increased motivation: understanding the needs and feelings of others, increases motivation to help and make a positive difference
- Improved mental and physical health: reduced stress and improved overall well-being, including physical health