>> Why We Have This Emotion
Empathy lets us share experiences. It helps us predict others' needs, offer help, and avoid hurting them. We can also learn from others without having to experience the same conditions.
◎ What to do in the moment
Good Ideas
- Name whose feeling it is, mentally
- Listen, summarize what your heard
- “Did I understand you correctly?”
- Ask what kind of support they want
- Don't assume they're just like you
- Notice their feelings, not just words
- Remember, you can't suffer for them
Bad Ideas
- “I know exactly how you feel”
- Take over making decisions for them
- Ignore your own needs
- Use empathy to manipulate them
- Dismiss their experience
- Absorb their emotions until you're completely burned out