Coaching, parenting, leadership at all levels etc. require an ability to connect, to care about, relate to and sometimes care “for” another person. Important in all this is understanding 3 integral words: sympathy, empathy and compassion.
Sympathy:
Understanding what someone is going through on an intellectual level. “I get this is a difficult time for you”.
Empathy:
Experiencing what someone is going through on an emotional level. “I feel your struggle, I relate to it”.
Compassion:
Empathy plus action for the benefit of the other person. “I feel your level of hurt and uncertainty and I want to help you with that.”
Compassion not only helps the receiver more than empathy alone can, it also helps the helper as well. Compassion is more of a cognitive response, a decision to do more for someone than just feel with them. This move to action (your action and supporting their action) can renew a helper’s helping energy/avoid empathy burnout and make a significant difference in someone else’s life. Compassion (empathy plus action) can do much to help someone move past struggle and doubt.
SAME PLANET Same Team