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If you look up empathy in the dictionary, it means being aware of and sharing another person’s feelings, experiences and emotions. Empathy is the action of understanding. When did trying to see things from another person’s point of become taboo? There is a big difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is that you heard something – listening is you understood what you heard. Having the ability to really listen to someone is an aquired skill. We are not “wired” to be a good listener, but we can learn how. Listen to my latest Confessions of a Reformed Control Freak Podcast and discover the three key listener skills you need to master to become a great listener. Remember listening is as essential to communication as speaking.
When Did Empathy Become a Bad Thing
If you look up empathy in the dictionary, it means being aware of and sharing another person’s feelings, experiences, and emotions. Empathy is the action of understanding, being aware of, and being sensitive to the feelings and thoughts fully communicated in an objectively clear manner, thereby vicariously experiencing them. Why is trying to see things from another person’s point of view considered taboo? When did empathy become a bad thing?
We have two ears but only one mouth. Some people suggest that it is because we should spend twice as much time listening as talking. Others suggest it’s because listening, really listening to what is being said, is twice as hard. – Dr. Ralph Nichols.
There is a big difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is that you heard something – listening is that you understood what you heard. Having the ability to really listen to someone is an acquired skill. We are not ‘wired’ to be a good listener. A recent survey revealed that individuals listen about 25 percent of the time, most people only recall 50 percent of what they hear, and 70 percent of all misunderstandings occur because people don’t truly listen to each other. The good news is we can learn to be good listeners.
In the industrial age, the CEO sat at the top of the hierarchy and didn’t have to listen to anybody. However, in the information age, you have to listen to the ideas of people, regardless of gender, generation or position within the organization. – John Scully.
To become a great listener, master these three key listener skills.
1 – Pay attention. Give the speaker your undivided attention. Do not interrupt.
2 – Paraphrase what the speaker said so they know you understood their point of view. If need be, ask open-ended questions for clarity.
3 – Pause and reflect on what was said. Do not become emotional.; respond respectfully in a professional manner. Remember Covey – ‘I listen to understand, not necessarily to agree. We are adults and we can agree to disagree.’
Always keep this in mind. Active listening, receiving the message as it was intended, is as essential to effective communication as speaking. You won’t learn a thing if you keep talking. Pay attention – paraphrase what the speaker said – pause and reflect before responding respectfully and professionally. When did empathy become a bad thing?
Copyright 2025. Brian Smith – Power Link Dynamics. Not to be reproduced without permission. Are you searching for a keynote speaker for your next event, or planning a training session at your location? Brian specializes in soft skills training and leadership development. He works with people who want to learn how to communicate and interact more effectively, resolve conflicts, build collaborative teams or motivate others to perform at their best.
Do You Have The Skill To Lead In These Uncertain Times
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The world of work is constantly changing. What are you doing to help yourself and your management team keep pace with those changes? Are the leadership skills that got you here the same skills that will get you and your management team to where you need to go to lead them in these uncertain times? Listen to my podcast and discover the four key leadership skills that will distinguish you from a so-so leader to an exceptional one.
Do You Have The Skills To Lead In Uncertain Times
The world of work is changing. What are you doing to help yourself and your management team keep pace with those changes? Are the leadership skills that got you here the same skills that will get you and your team to where you need to go to manage and lead in uncertain times?
Quotes Worth Remembering – ‘Before you are a leader, success is about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is about growing others.’ – Jack Welch.
Here are four skills that will distinguish you from a so-so leader to an exceptional one. Which ones are you good at – and which ones will you have to learn?
Connecting. Exceptional leaders can bring people together with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, and have them perform as a team. Exceptional leaders understand that teamwork makes the whole thing work.
Communicating. Exceptional leaders have the ability to communicate in a way that everyone will understand. Exceptional leaders understand that if they can’t communicate up, down and across the organization regardless of gender or generation, then they can’t manage or lead them.
Educating. Exceptional leaders understand that you rarely get to hire someone who is fully trained. Exceptional leaders realize that their role is to fill the skills gap by teaching others what they need to know to sustain and grow the organization.
Delegating. Exceptional leaders understand that they must relinquish control to gain control. Exceptional leaders know that they can’t control everything and be everywhere all at once. They understand that they must delegate some of their tasks and responsibility to others, and stay out of their way and let them do their job.
Quotes Worth Remembering. – ‘The best leader is the one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what needs to be done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.’ – Theodore Roosevelt.
You now have the potential to work with four generations simultaneously. Each generation – Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and the newest generation to enter the workforce, Alpha prefer to be managed and led differently. People skills, often referred to as soft skills, are essential skills. Without the ability to connect with others, communicate in a way that everyone understands, educate them on what they need to know, and delegate when necessary, you stand little chance of managing or leading them. Do you have the skills to lead in uncertain times?
Copyright 2025. Brian Smith – Power Link Dynamics. Not to be reproduced without permission. Are you searching for a keynote speaker for your next event, or planning a training session at your location? Brian specializes in soft skills training and leadership development. He will customize a session that is right for you and your organization.
Enhancing Lives & Transforming Leadership 