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Feb 8, 2014
"Walk with me for a while, my friend --you in my shoes, I in yours -- and then let us talk." --Richelle E. Goodrich
Are You an Empathizer or a Sympathizer?
Empathy and sympathy are not just two different approaches to confronting the emotional challenges of others: they are diametrically opposite responses in many important ways. Sympathy places another's problems at a distance from us, places us in a position of superiority, and "drives separation", says Dr. Brene Brown. Empathy, on the other hand, requires that one internalize the feelings of another. That shared experience drives interpersonal connection, she says. "What makes things better is connection." Watch this captivating RSA animation bring Brown's words to life.
BE THE CHANGE
The next time you find yourself feeling sorry for someone, try to shift your reaction from sympathy to empathy. Ask yourself: how are they feeling and when have I felt this way also?
