I was watching this TEDx Talk and was stunned when she cited that empathy has decreased by 40% according to a study by University of Michigan. I didn’t check, but I suppose that means apathy has increased by 40%.
As someone who trains on empathy in the workplace, I can tell you it’s somewhat controversial. Some leaders confuse empathy with sympathy. Some confuse empathy with generosity – which in sales is not always welcome.
Empathy is the ability to walk in someone else’s shoes and understand it, even if you haven’t been in their situation before. Sympathy is the ability to feel for someone but not necessarily understand how they feel. Generosity can be a part of empathy if you have a generous spirit and truly want to help beyond lending an ear, but it’s not necessarily interdependent. You can be empathetic and generous in spirit, and not generous with your time or money.
Your mission, if you choose to accept it: Be empathetic to someone – daily if you can. Try to understand their stress, their fear, where they’ve been. Don’t expect to change your mind or their mind, just be there and listen.
Be kind. Be safe. Be appropriate. Now go!
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