Another beautifully written piece! I'm reminded of this great video from Brene Brown (I shared it on an essay I wrote about this same topic :), very insightful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZBTYViDPlQ
As you said, since we are not always going to remember to be empathetic, one thing my wife and I will do is ask "what would an empathetic statement look like?" We will ask this of each other if we are having a hard time understanding the other person's point of view. Or, if one of us is too frustrated with our kids, this question helps to reframe our view and get aligned with empathy.
Empathy is compassion in action, in my view! :) Thanks Heather, this was inspiring.
I love how you and your wife ask that question. What a wonderful way to help you take a compassionate look at any situation. It's much better than pausing and counting to 10!
An empathetic statement to me looks like helping the other person's argument, or “Yes, and…” thinking. "It comes from improvisational comedy where a performer adds on to what someone says, and cooperates with them, in order to continue developing an idea without limitations until it comes to its natural conclusion":
Yes! In order to work well with someone in building a comedic scene, you need empathy: "If you are a good communicator, you have empathy. Looking at it from the other direction: you need a sufficient amount of empathy in order to communicate at the highest level."
Interesting post indeed! The lessons here makes me think we should always pair better working conditions with better living conditions in general since it's beneficial to our Organizations in particular or societies in general and we individually all have a 50% natural deposit of empathy.
Another beautifully written piece! I'm reminded of this great video from Brene Brown (I shared it on an essay I wrote about this same topic :), very insightful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZBTYViDPlQ
As you said, since we are not always going to remember to be empathetic, one thing my wife and I will do is ask "what would an empathetic statement look like?" We will ask this of each other if we are having a hard time understanding the other person's point of view. Or, if one of us is too frustrated with our kids, this question helps to reframe our view and get aligned with empathy.
Empathy is compassion in action, in my view! :) Thanks Heather, this was inspiring.
I love how you and your wife ask that question. What a wonderful way to help you take a compassionate look at any situation. It's much better than pausing and counting to 10!
An empathetic statement to me looks like helping the other person's argument, or “Yes, and…” thinking. "It comes from improvisational comedy where a performer adds on to what someone says, and cooperates with them, in order to continue developing an idea without limitations until it comes to its natural conclusion":
https://moviewise.substack.com/p/communication-insights-from-movies
That's such an interesting way to look at empathy, through the eyes of improv. I hadn't thought about that perspective before. Delightful!
Yes! In order to work well with someone in building a comedic scene, you need empathy: "If you are a good communicator, you have empathy. Looking at it from the other direction: you need a sufficient amount of empathy in order to communicate at the highest level."
Truly. Without empathy, what, as humans, do we have...
Feeling truly heard is such a gift. I’m always working on trying to listen better so that the speaker knows they are heard. Great post, Heather.
Listening to others as if you were in their position trying to be understood it a true demonstration of empathy, and key to good communication:
https://moviewise.substack.com/p/communication-insights-from-movies
Interesting post indeed! The lessons here makes me think we should always pair better working conditions with better living conditions in general since it's beneficial to our Organizations in particular or societies in general and we individually all have a 50% natural deposit of empathy.
Beautiful piece there... More oil on your head Heather