Empathy is the ability to spot, understand and acknowledge someone else’s feelings. When you empathise with someone, you tune into their reality. Doing this helps you connect and build rapport – so people will listen to you.
Try these steps for showing empathy – even in response to irrational behaviour.
Do you work with someone whose reasoning defies logic? Does your boss go off the deep end at the slightest thing? Is a client driving you to distraction with unreasonable demands? You can learn to deal with people who are driven by emotions rather than logic. Here are four things to keep in mind.
There’s only one thing for it – Dean needs to be assertive. He needs tell his boss there’s an issue so she can understand his position. Here’s how we’d help Dean deal with this problem. You can use the same strategies to negotiate priorities with your boss.
People talk about others. But when talk becomes negative or personal it moves from conversation to gossip. As Elaine’s uncomfortable with what’s being said, there’s a good chance the topic of conversation won’t like it either. Here’s how we’d help Elaine deal with this problem. You can use the same strategies to tackle gossip in your workplace.
A team of agricultural workers is in conflict. They need to learn how to manage their differences. Many group members are nervous about attending training – some can’t read, others had negative experiences at school.
A team of volunteers is presenting training on parenting skills. The scripts they have been issued with for this training are dull and uninspiring. The volunteers are nervous about speaking in public. Hedley Galt inspires the group to spice up their performance and feel confident doing so.
Library staff are feeling unsafe following an assault on a colleague at the exit door. Think Learn Succeed creates a course called Staying Safe Around Aggressive Clients.
A team of youth workers is burning out. Constant organisational change and the demands of working with at-risk young people are taking their toll. Staff want to have a ‘fun’ day chilling out together. Management want a serious team-building workshop.
A team of scientists wants to motivate and inspire staff who are embarking on careers in health research. Challenges include developing political awareness and promoting a reflective approach to career development. Eleanor Shakiba presents modules on Conflict Resolution and Personality Types Working Together.
If you want better results with people, spending time building rapport can reap great results. Take Craig, for example. He was a freelance IT consultant who wanted help in getting on with his clients. Craig had difficulty managing his clients’ expectations. For example, he was frequently irritated by clients who ‘couldn’t’ describe what they wanted. What he wasn’t acknowledging was that people who could outline their needs accurately probably wouldn’t need his services in the first place!
Fortnightly tips and videos to inspire Difference Makers and Future Shapers as their efforts change the world.