Sympathy and empathy have similar sounding words, but they have different meanings. Oftentimes, people will use them interchangeably and end up making mistakes.
It’s important to understand the difference between sympathy and empathy so you can better communicate with others. This can be particularly helpful in building professional relationships.
Empathy
Empathy is a type of social intelligence that enables individuals to connect with and understand the emotions of others. It involves putting yourself in another person’s shoes, a process known as “empathizing,” according to Psychology Today.
People who have experienced pain or suffering themselves often find it easy to empathize with others, especially those in need. They can also use their emotional experience to help others through counseling, volunteering and social work.
Unlike sympathy, empathy is not just about pity or compassion. It also involves taking into account a person’s perspective, which is essential for a genuine sense of empathy.
In addition to a lack of understanding, a sympathetic approach is also often unhelpful because it can lead to giving unsolicited advice, which can cause people to pass judgment and be less open with others. It’s also important to note that sympathy is more common among those in a close relationship to the person in need, whereas empathy is more prevalent in those who don’t know them well.
Sympathy
Sympathy is a term that refers to feeling compassion for someone and their situation. It is a common word that is used in everyday life.
Sympathy can be a very powerful way to help others. For example, you can offer support when a friend is going through a difficult time or even donate money to someone who is in need.
It can also be a good way to connect with people in your community. If you’re a member of a church, for example, you can offer your support to people who are dealing with a tough time in their lives.
You can also practice empathy by putting yourself in other people’s shoes and trying to understand their emotions. Try to read novels and watch movies with characters that are portrayed from different backgrounds.
Both sympathy and empathy can be helpful traits in your career. When you’re able to empathize with others, you can communicate better and be more productive.
Putting yourself in the other’s shoes
Putting yourself in the other’s shoes is an empathy strategy that has been recommended since childhood. It’s a good way to help others, but it might not be the best option for everyone.
According to researchers, putting yourself in the other’s shoes makes you more likely to make accurate predictions about their feelings and thoughts. But they also say that it can be damaging to your mental health, particularly if you’re always trying to help other people without setting emotional boundaries.
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Taking the other’s perspective
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