Give Empathy

Ways To Show Empathy

Developing and giving empathy

Empathy is a very important component of emotional intelligence

Giving empathy is the best thing we can do to other people who are going through trying moments in their lives. To give empathy is to honestly recognize emotions in other people, and to openly try to understand the perspectives of other people especially in a difficult situation.

Daniel Goleman, a very influential psychologist, says that empathy is a very important component of emotional intelligence, which is a necessary leadership skill in any setting. Empathy is a vital part of NVC (Nonviolent Communication) in healthy relationships.

Developing and giving empathy

We may struggle to give empathy initially. Some of us may be anxious about committing themselves emotionally. You may also feel like you don’t have the ability to emotionally commit yourself. Here are some of the best ways to give empathy:

• Use your gut instincts, years and eyes to listen keenly to whatever someone is trying to say

• Try to see situations from other people’s perspectives and keep your mind open without placing too much importance on your own beliefs and assumptions

• Open up emotionally to the person you are giving empathy

• Offer physical affection like hugging them or holding their hands

• Offer help in order to make life easier for others

• Treat other people like they are as important as you

There is no one right way to give empathy. How you give empathy should always depend on the situation, the person you want to empathize with, and their current dominant emotion. Giving empathy means that you only consider what someone’s needs and wants are and not what you want.

FURTHER READING

Charterforcompassion.org/discovering-empathy/how-to-show-empathy

www.mindtools.com/pages/article/EmpathyatWork.htm