Empathy is defined as “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner.[1]” Given the present global situation, the world needs more empathy right now. Not everyone has the same coping mechanism. Some people have it worse than others, so empathy skills might come in handy.
3 Types of Empathy
Yes, you heard that right. Empathy is actually a life skill, and a skill that can be honed. There are 3 types of empathy. They are as follows:
- Cognitive empathy – basically this is about being able to see things from someone else’s perspective.
- Emotional empathy – this type of empathy is otherwise known as ‘emotional contagion’ or being able to feel the other person’s emotions alongside them.
- Compassionate empathy – this type of empathy is all about understanding someone else’s pain AND taking action to help.
Finding The Right Balance
Finding the right balance is what empathy skills boil down to. Cognitive empathy is more of ‘empathy by thought’ while emotional empathy is more of ‘empathy by feeling’. Compassionate empathy is the right balance between logic and emotion and is a very good life skill to have. And just like all skills, this can be improved upon. Strengthen your empathy skills with these 7 tips.
- Open up about yourself – being able to share your thoughts with others is the first step to building genuine relationships. The more you open up, the more other people can find relatable experiences to build connections with.
- Listen without interruption – being a good listener is another good skill to have and is important in improving your empathy skills. Giving the other person your undivided attention gives you a chance to hear the little things that matter the most.
- Ask for an opinion – asking someone for advice encourages others to share their opinion and might help you make better decisions, too.
- Be calm – when another person tells you their worries and fears, it is not the time to panic along with them. That isn’t empathy, that’s helping create more anxiety and paranoia. You should be calm and collected so that both of you can see the bigger picture.
- Put yourself in their shoes – this is what empathy is all about, being able to put yourself in the other person’s shoes. If you can imagine what they feel, you will have a better understanding of their situation. It also helps to ask relevant questions.
- Know your body language – avoid crossing your arms or giving off an aloof vibe (avoiding eye contact, hunching, turning your body away from the speaker, etc.)
- Give out praises when needed – a nice word or compliment here and there can do wonders for the other person’s self-esteem, and surprisingly, yours too!
Do you have any tips on how to improve your empathy? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!
Written by Jaie O. TheHelp