Empathy – the human quality that we need more – HRM Global School

Written by : Shivani Sahni

Empathy is besides having awareness of the feelings and emotions of other people, taking action to provide a favorable solution. One of the key element of emotional intelligence, it is a link between self and others. It is through empathy that individuals understand what others are experiencing as one’s own feeling.

I think empathy is the most important human quality that our society needs. Research also shows that greater empathy contributes to more emotional support for one another making it one of the most precious human quality a person can harness.

It helps us to show compassion to others, to connect to our family, loved ones, colleagues and even strangers, without which the world would be dim and silent. It liberates both the individuals, the one in need and the one offering support, thereby creates a positive impact on one’s emotional being.

Empathy has much more to offer than sympathy. Where sympathy is ‘feeling for’ someone, empathy is ‘feeling with’ that person. We can empathize with someone only if we show sensitivity and understand other’s perspective as our own. It is a skill which can be developed through sharing and listening in a non judgemental and a supportive environment. Denmark is a country that ranks top in the charts of happiness quotient. Here in this country, empathy is a skill which is compulsorily taught to students of ages 6 to 16 via one hour class each week, called as Klassens tid.
The students are encouraged to share their problems, the rest of the group of students and teacher collectively suggest possible solutions and support each other without being judgemental or laughing out. As the students listen to others and understand their situations before suggesting probable solutions, develop the skill of empathy in the process.

People who hone the skill of empathy can relate well with others, understand other people better and support them develop to their full potential. Empathetic people are generally rational thinkers. Such people consider ways to keep themselves and others safe and healthy. Having genuine empathy really is just a beautiful thing to have.