How well do you communicate empathy when a colleague is struggling with a personal or professional loss?
The Challenge
List three statements you might make to a colleague who has experienced a personal or professional loss/setback. How well do you think your statements communicate empathy for her/his loss?
Why do this?
An effective communicator treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. He/she considers the needs of the other person and responds appropriately to the other's unique needs and feelings.
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. While you might feel pressure to say the "right thing," listening and offering validation for the other person's pain may be more important. Share your feelings if it will help you better connect with theirs. This is different than just describing a similar situation you once faced. Thank the other person for sharing their vulnerability with you and offer concrete support. True empathy connects with the other's experience.
What’s next?
Take the next opportunity you have to offer empathy to someone else who is struggling with a loss. After that conversation, reflect on how effectively you connected with the other person.
