How to Practice *true* Empathy
EQ Pillar: Social Awareness - Section 3 of the Guided EQ Journal
Pro Tip: Watch this video at 1.25 or 1.5x speed by clicking the three vertical dots in lower right corner of the video box. It’s all still comprehendible & I like the cadence!
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My people!
Hello again, and again.
This week I am sorry to report that my infamous side-kick and video making STAR is away at pre-school, so he won’t be here to dazzle you with his amazing skills in EQ- but I will be sure to have his people pencil me in on his calendar for the next video.
Today we embrace TRUE empathy! I LOVE talking about empathy and if you are an empath or feel things deeply, please take a seat and grab some popcorn for today’s show. Feel free to add any insights I missed, below. <3
Important links from our chat:
The Emotional Intelligence Journal Guided by Yours Truly: here!
The Color of Emotional Intelligence by Farah Harris: right here!
Dr. Brene Brown’s website: click me!
Reflection questions:
Would you care to tell us about a time you practiced TRUE empathy?
Has there been a time when TRUE empathy was provided to you? Tell us more… :)
Answer one, or both questions in the comments below!
Do you have questions about emotional intelligence? Ask Me Anything!
Every other Tuesday, DPP alternates to advice column, Ask A (Recovering) People Pleaser. Submit to: Anonymous Google Forms or join the community chat below.
Every time I watch your videos and how you address the topics , I instantly wish I lived closer so we could go sit in a coffee shop/bookstore and talk!
I talk about empathy often with my leadership team, especially when it comes to conflict resolution. Some of them get it and some of them choose not to practice it. I also talk a lot with my husband about empathy, he says he's becoming less empathetic the older we get, and I always argue that it's patience he's losing, not empathy :)
A time that stands out to me when I feel like I really practiced empathy was with one of the executive producers here at my station, she is originally from Maui so when the fires happened there we sent her to cover the stories. It took a massive toll on her and when she returned she sat in my office for about an hour, trying to calm herself so that she could write the story. My heart broke for her and I knew I could not fix any of it, but I let her know she wasn't alone in it, that I was there and listening and would always sit with her whenever she needed it. I have found that one of the best and most empathetic things we can do for someone is listen to them. Really listen and do our best to understand where they are at in the moment and where they've come from.
I really loved how you said it's about remaining open - I started nodding profusely at you even though you can't see me! :)
A dear friend of mine is really great at empathy with me, during a recent health scare she listened and didn't try to fix it or sweep it away or just say I'm sorry. She volunteered to go get the tests with me so that I wouldn't be alone. My husband is great at that too, when I had to have hand surgery it was during covid times and he wasn't allowed in the back with me to wait. I thought he was going to go home, and just come get me once it was over, but he ended up texting me from the parking lot saying he was still outside and would be the entire time. Again, that feeling of not being alone. I think that's the crux of empathy as you so beautifully explained.
Thanks so much for everything you share, K! I appreciate you!! And love you!! :)
This is gold !