Empathy can be defined as the ability to truly understand the feelings of others. It’s the ability to put yourself into someone else’s shoes, be aware of their emotions and their perspectives.
We are truly empathic when we are simply sensitive to how other people are feeling.
Empathy is something that can be taught. We can all develop higher levels of empathy by exposing ourselves to different worldviews and by being kind, generous, patient and forgiving to the people around us.
We all have people in our work environment that at times feels challenging to understanding where they are coming from and even what they are going through. However, building more empathy can help us develop more healthy and meaningful relationships.
Try these five simple ways to build empathy with your team.
- Stop finishing sentences and giving advice. Just listen.
- Be generous with your timeas you help others.
- Spend time with people who aredifferent from you.
- Identify and challengeyour own prejudices and biases.
- Teach someonea new skill.
Empathy requires that we cultivate the trait of active listening. Most people are thinking how they are going to respond while the other person is still speaking. Active listening means being totally focused on what the other person is saying.
The best way to gain trust with your team is to share some of your feelings with them. By doing so, you will give others permission to share more of themselves, allowing for deeper conversations and connection.
Being empathic is a key ingredient in making your workplace a better place, for your team to be more connected, encouraged and feel understood. Empathy allows you to accurately understand the feelings and motives of your team and in turn gain their trust.
Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It’s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ‘You’re not alone.’ ~ Brené Brown
