I can’t help to wonder if there’s an empathy deficit? When searching Google ‘’How to build empathy.’’ You’ll read 8 ways, 6 steps, or 5 actions to ‘kick-start’ empathic development.
Empathy is one of those perpetual words on the leadership skill list and WFH has raised it more. So, yes, no surprise there’s a deficit.
In my research for a new coaching book, ‘how to build empathy’ always pops up. The standard building empathy advice is to step into another person’s shoes. Or as, Roman Krznaric, have “an insatiable curiosity about the particulars of those you meet.” A few ways to nurture empathy:
- Give time to people you don’t know well and find out more about them, what they like and what they find meaningful?
- Listen attentively, let go of distractions (phone, or other gadgets), pay attention to non-verbal cues and what’s not said.
- Travel to different places, (when Covid lifts), take in different perspectives, experience a new way of living.
I’d add to this list, ‘the ability to notice and understand the emotions in others’ (harder through Zoom or other platforms, but possible).
There are still plenty of workshops, assessments and coaching to improve empathy. You can take the Greater Good’s science based, Empathy Quiz, 28 questions to gather insights, interpretation, and practical tips to bolster your skills.
But I’ve found two different (research based) practices to strengthen your empathy muscle and listening skills.
Read the rest of the article on Medium.
