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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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8 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
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.
PwC Impact
823
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
- Understanding other people‘s point of view and what is going on in their personal and professional life can help you build better teams. It also helps foster a better environment of coaching and apprenticeship. The more you know about the people on the other side of the table and truly try to understand them
- Having the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes is super helpful when it comes to establishing new relationships with clients and building trust on your teams. Many times the choices people make to engage with you (or buy services from you) comes down to the empathy you’ve shown them.
- Caring and listening first has created relationships of trust with the people that I work with. When my clients, my partners, or my team feel heard, we are able to work together to solve the most important problems.
- Having the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes is super helpful when it comes to establishing new relationships with clients and building trust on your teams. Many times the choices people make to engage with you (or buy services from you) comes down to the empathy you’ve shown them.
- Caring and listening first has created relationships of trust with the people that I work with. When my clients, my partners, or my team feel heard, we are able to work together to solve the most important problems.
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.
PwC Impact
823
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
We all think about the world differently and if we don’t try to see it through someone’s eyes/perspective, we become narrow minded.
PwC Impact
823
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
- We are all human. When we sre able to connect with our teams, understand them and listen to them, we are truly able to meet them where they are and show true empathy with their problems
- I was able to see situations from others’ perspective which helped us together to work a team more effectively and listen to each other.
- By listening and thinking of others I bring a better customer experience because I better understand the problem that is being faced
- Empathy when used well can be powerful- it builds trust, demonstrates you heard the person and can enable you to influence others.
- I was able to see situations from others’ perspective which helped us together to work a team more effectively and listen to each other.
- By listening and thinking of others I bring a better customer experience because I better understand the problem that is being faced
- Empathy when used well can be powerful- it builds trust, demonstrates you heard the person and can enable you to influence others.
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.
PwC Impact
823
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
- It is imperative- if you want to help someone- to listen first, to understand where the person is coming from. I have learned that starting with listening not only makes the other person feel seen, but helps you to give better advice and guidance.
- Empathy can be shown through active listening - and when you take the time to truly listen to what someone is saying it could enable you to draw on your experiences, put yourself in their shoes or become a partner in solving problems.
- Spend more time listening instead of rushing to talk. By listening, you’ll gain more power through information and gain trust in the people you’re talking with, which will benefit you in the long run.
- Empathy allows to create a connection with others by enabling you to participate in a discussion as if you are in the shoes of the other party
- Empathy can be shown through active listening - and when you take the time to truly listen to what someone is saying it could enable you to draw on your experiences, put yourself in their shoes or become a partner in solving problems.
- Spend more time listening instead of rushing to talk. By listening, you’ll gain more power through information and gain trust in the people you’re talking with, which will benefit you in the long run.
- Empathy allows to create a connection with others by enabling you to participate in a discussion as if you are in the shoes of the other party
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.