A little empathy goes a long way. From post-election fatigue to Super Bowl upset, understanding and absorbing the feelings of our friends, family and coworkers is a valuable skill to hone.
We naturally feel sympathy, a sense of compassion or sorrow for the hardships others encounter. Being sympathetic is an inherent human trait. Empathy, on the other hand, is a feeling-and-skill hybrid. And it’s something that can enhance both our personal and professional lives.
Empathy means trying to understand a person’s experiences and perspectives. That’s sometimes easier said than done. We often walk through life inwardly focused, in a bubble of sorts, our own unique perspective on the world leading the way.
But it’s essential to our own development and personal relationships that we turn towards others – that we try to understand how they experience the world. Using empathy, we lay the foundation for building bridges between individuals, we understand each other’s complex emotions, we gain a diverse perspective, and we leverage relationships for collaboration and progress. By actively thinking about the concerns of others, we feel more connected and, interestingly, we are happier.
This video explores the impact and importance of practicing empathy, and how you can sharpen this invaluable skill. Take a look, and consider how often and how well you experience and express empathy. It may change your life and the lives of those around you, even if just a little bit.
