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How has empathy helped you become more effective or successful in your role?
How has empathy helped you become more effective or successful in your role?
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Michelle M.
Actress
3284
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, CVOH !
This is an important question ! Empathy plays a huge part in an acting career in a few ways. One needs to have empathy for the other actors/characters that you're performing with. One also needs to have a general quality of empathy to bring to a character so that the audience can connect by experiencing vicarious emotions as they watch the performance. This really is an awesome question.
An example of when I recognized empathy in myself while performing was in a scene I was in with an actress who was also a friend. Relationship and focus on stage is vital. One night during a performance, she forgot her lines and when I recognized this right away, I quickly "covered" for her as forgetting lines while performing is the total nightmare. I simply used her dialogue and incorporated it into my lines as if it was information and the scene came off well. It got her back on track, too.
I had another experience while performing which surprised me very much. That is, my level of involved empathy surprised me. I had a featured role (small part) in a play in which one of the scenes was the lead character being taken by two mental institution workers to be taken to a mental hospital. One night while I was in this scene with no lines, just involved in watching it as my character, I felt myself crying a slow tear down my face as if my character felt very bad for the other character. I wasn't even aiming for that effect. I know part of it was 'Michelle's' empathy and part of it was being caught up in the action. So, as you can see, empathy is all over when you are in the field of Acting. As an actress, I would support my co-actors anyway I can and always have a mindset for them to do well.
It helps if an actor has a natural ability for empathy which I believe can give depth to their performances. In acting, empathy can add to success, but more importantly it's needed to be able to know how to develop a character and interact and react to other characters in the action.
This is an important question ! Empathy plays a huge part in an acting career in a few ways. One needs to have empathy for the other actors/characters that you're performing with. One also needs to have a general quality of empathy to bring to a character so that the audience can connect by experiencing vicarious emotions as they watch the performance. This really is an awesome question.
An example of when I recognized empathy in myself while performing was in a scene I was in with an actress who was also a friend. Relationship and focus on stage is vital. One night during a performance, she forgot her lines and when I recognized this right away, I quickly "covered" for her as forgetting lines while performing is the total nightmare. I simply used her dialogue and incorporated it into my lines as if it was information and the scene came off well. It got her back on track, too.
I had another experience while performing which surprised me very much. That is, my level of involved empathy surprised me. I had a featured role (small part) in a play in which one of the scenes was the lead character being taken by two mental institution workers to be taken to a mental hospital. One night while I was in this scene with no lines, just involved in watching it as my character, I felt myself crying a slow tear down my face as if my character felt very bad for the other character. I wasn't even aiming for that effect. I know part of it was 'Michelle's' empathy and part of it was being caught up in the action. So, as you can see, empathy is all over when you are in the field of Acting. As an actress, I would support my co-actors anyway I can and always have a mindset for them to do well.
It helps if an actor has a natural ability for empathy which I believe can give depth to their performances. In acting, empathy can add to success, but more importantly it's needed to be able to know how to develop a character and interact and react to other characters in the action.
Walter Chacon
People Manager
5
Answers
Heredia, Heredia Province, Costa Rica
Updated
Walter’s Answer
Empathy is a really powerful tool for connecting with people. It helps you build the trust you need to tackle tough projects and situations at work. I suggest finding a natural way to grow this skill. One of the best ways is through meaningful conversations where you try to see things from different perspectives.
Allysa Mercer
Talent Consultant (HR)
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Allysa’s Answer
Empathy is crucial in my job as a Talent Consultant (HR generalist). While we use AI for some administrative tasks, we often deal with real issues that need personal attention. We practice active listening to fully understand the problem, then use our knowledge of company policies to suggest solutions or options. This helps the person make an informed decision about what to do next. Without empathy and active listening, we might make wrong assumptions, and the best solution could be overlooked. This could leave the person feeling confused and forced into decisions, like quitting, that they might not have made if they had a chance to talk openly.
Elisa Amador
Customer Management and remote device configuration support
8
Answers
San José, Costa Rica
Updated
Elisa’s Answer
Hi!
I think a lot of where empathy is created starts with active listening,.. And listening in general is such a strong, smart skill to learn. I say listening, but I really mean do it with all your senses (even though it sounds funny!), When you do, you are gathering so much information from your environment, and therefore being aware of how others are, feel, and speak. Then, you will truly start to engage in a deeper level of 'their' understanding and being able to have empathy. Thru this journey, you would have gathered also other information -when you are paying close attention, that is all valuable when you are building significant work-personal relationships. This is meaningful especially when you consider there are always key people along the way that will stay with you in a closer way and eventually could help create a stronger relationship network in life.
I think a lot of where empathy is created starts with active listening,.. And listening in general is such a strong, smart skill to learn. I say listening, but I really mean do it with all your senses (even though it sounds funny!), When you do, you are gathering so much information from your environment, and therefore being aware of how others are, feel, and speak. Then, you will truly start to engage in a deeper level of 'their' understanding and being able to have empathy. Thru this journey, you would have gathered also other information -when you are paying close attention, that is all valuable when you are building significant work-personal relationships. This is meaningful especially when you consider there are always key people along the way that will stay with you in a closer way and eventually could help create a stronger relationship network in life.