I deeply appreciate your research on empathy and the way you laid out connected concepts like self-compassion. Whenever the question of active listening and empathy come up with my clients and my students, I ask this question: which is more important-listening or empathy? Every single time the response is: EMPATHY! I then ask, “how do you know a person needs your empathy?” Every time a lightbulb 💡 goes off in their heads. What are your thoughts? What takes precedence? How do we know a person needs empathy? Great post!
Hi Katie, thanks for the words of encouragement, insightful comment and observation. I'm with you on this, I'm a fan of learning about others by asking the right questions. I'm introverted by nature and what started out as a mechanism to deflect being the centre of attention ended up being (when combined with genuine interest and observation) a way to create deeper, meaningful connections. I think the quick route to empathy is caring enough to care :)
I deeply appreciate your research on empathy and the way you laid out connected concepts like self-compassion. Whenever the question of active listening and empathy come up with my clients and my students, I ask this question: which is more important-listening or empathy? Every single time the response is: EMPATHY! I then ask, “how do you know a person needs your empathy?” Every time a lightbulb 💡 goes off in their heads. What are your thoughts? What takes precedence? How do we know a person needs empathy? Great post!
Hi Katie, thanks for the words of encouragement, insightful comment and observation. I'm with you on this, I'm a fan of learning about others by asking the right questions. I'm introverted by nature and what started out as a mechanism to deflect being the centre of attention ended up being (when combined with genuine interest and observation) a way to create deeper, meaningful connections. I think the quick route to empathy is caring enough to care :)