Self-absorption in all its forms kills empathy, let alone compassion. When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. But when we focus on others, our world expands. Our own problems drift to the periphery of the mind and so seem smaller, and we increase our capacity for connection - or compassionate action.
Simple inattention kills empathy, let alone compassion. So the first step in compassion is to notice the other's need. It all begins with the simple act of attention.
If your emotional abilities aren't in hand, if you don't have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can't have empathy and have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far.
Empathy represents the foundation skill for all the social competencies important for work.
Empathetic people are superb at recognizing and meeting the needs of clients, customers, or subordinates. They seem approachable, wanting to hear what people have to say. They listen carefully, picking up on what people are truly concerned about, and respond on the mark.
Women, on average, tend to be more aware of their emotions, show more empathy, and are more adept interpersonally. Men on the other hand, are more self-confident and optimistic, adapt more easily, and handle stress better.
The act of compassion begins with full attention, just as rapport does. You have to really see the person. If you see the person, then naturally, empathy arises. If you tune into the other person, you feel with them. If empathy arises, and if that person is in dire need, then empathic concern can come. You want to help them, and then that begins a compassionate act. So I'd say that compassion begins with attention.
There is zero correlation between IQ and emotional empathy... They're controlled by different parts of the brain.
Simply paying attention allows us to build an emotional connection. Lacking attention, empathy hasn't a chance.
Empathy and social skills are social intelligence, the interpersonal part of emotional intelligence. That's why they look alike.
A prerequisite to empathy is simply paying attention to the person in pain.
When we focus on others, our world expands.
Empathic, emotionally intelligent work environments have a good track record of increasing creativity, improving problem solving and raising productivity.
Leaders with empathy do more than sympathize with people around them: they use their knowledge to improve their companies in subtle, but important ways.
Reducing the economic gap may be impossible without also addressing the gap in empathy.
In a high-IQ job pool, soft skills like discipline, drive and empathy mark those who emerge as outstanding.
Remember, empathy need not lead to sympathetically giving in to the other side’s demands—knowing how someone feels does not mean agreeing with them.
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