Deep Dive: All You Need to Know About Empathy

What it is, different types, and how to practice it.

Are you an empathic person?

If you feel you could improve that, this deep dive will be right for you. Empathy is a communication skill. Good news! You can learn it and practice it!

Understand how others feel and what they experience. Become a better listener and earn respect from your friends and coworkers.

Be aware of what is happening around you. Empathy will instantly improve your communication, business skills, and personal relationships.

Discover:

• Empathy definition

• Different types of empathy

• Impact of empathy on your relationships

• Lack of empathy or too much empathy can be a problem

• How to practice empathy and get better

Let’s dive in.

---

What is empathy?

In the business world, empathy is slowly becoming a buzzword.

• Empathy is the great human connector. - Danny Langloss

• When you listen to understand, you actively engage with the speaker, show empathy, and consider their perspective. - Rickie Singleton

• As a leader, you don’t need to choose between empathy and accountability. You choose both. - Miles Nicolas

It can feel like everyone is an empathetic superhero. Yet, being ‘nice’ is not what empathy is about. Many leaders use empathy as a paper value. It is trendy to talk about it. While in reality, they do not care.

What is empathy?

The ability to understand and share other people’s feelings and problems.- Cambridge dictionary

It is easy to understand how others feel when you have gone through a similar experience. You can imagine how they feel now. You can see things from their perspective.

The EQ Edge by Steven Stein and Howard Book enhances say:

Empathy is “tuning in” (being sensitive) to what, how, and why people feel and think the way they do. Being empathic means being able to “emotionally read” other people.

Empathy is asking people if they are OK. Empathy is about being concerned about people as human beings, not just their numbers and performance. Everyone is living through something. You just don’t know.

Choose not to ignore others. Practice empathy.

Allow yourself to walk a mile in another’s shoes. It might be a mind-blowing experience.

Types of empathy