OB
Interviewer: Manuel
Interviewee: OB (wife)
Transcribers: Manuel
Name 1:
Name 2:
Text below:
Q1-What in your view is the difference between empathy, sympathy and compassion?
A1-Empathy is understanding someone's problem with a view to helping them understand how to move out of their predicament. You look at the issue from their perspective but not necessarily agree that their view or solution to the problem is correct. For example they might say school lessons are boring and that might trigger the need to ask questions about what might make it more interesting, for example by finding out topics that they find interesting or difficult and considering new ways of making the subject more playful for example by learning the subject in a different way. Sympathy is feeling sorry for them and then agreeing with them that things really are as bad as they look. It is the glass half empty view of the world rather than the glass half full! Compassion is showing kindness and doing to others what you would like done to yourself.
Q2-What would be the advantage of empathising with your worst enemy?
A2-It would help you understand their point of view so you could address some of the issues that might be contributing to them being your enemies. It could bring a positive dynamic to the relationship by changing the mindset followed by the language. It might help you find common ground that you can work on to overcome the antagonistic points of view.
Q3-What are the disadvantages of sympathising when people are angry or distressed?
A3-It can exacerbate the situation so they end up feeling more angry or distressed. It indulges with their emotions only. It can make matters worse. They will take longer to engage with their ability to work out better places to be in the future.
Q4-What are the advantages of creating an organisation or society based on the value of compassion?
A4-To show compassion is to treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. We build a more functional organisation if we think about how we would like to be treated and treat others according to the same standards we would expect to be treated ourselves. It goes with empathy but allows you to be more active in what you do. You will not think of what is in it for me only but also what is in it for others. A society built on compassion will be a less egocentric society; more equal and with less strife, strikes and opposition.
Q5-How can we best deliver training to workers so that they appreciate the differences between empathy, sympathy and compassion?
A5-We can use everyday situations likely to be encountered at work, in school, when travelling and shopping as well team and family dynamics to illustrate the how different scenarios show these behaviours in action. Audio and video clips of role play can be used to role play and show the differences.