Basic Empathy Circle
Meets Values/Needs/Desired Feelings of
Fairness
There is a quality of fairness of the amount of time everyone has to speak. Often in 'regular' conversation the more verbal, extroverted or aggressive person can control the conversation or take up the majority.
There is also fairness in that each person get equally heard like everyone else in the circle.
Equality
Effectiveness
Team Building
link to googles research on effective teams. Empathy is part of that.
1) Mutual Support
In these difficult times we need mutual support to not feel alone and to support each other.
A place to bring personal problems, concerns, worries, fears and pains to be shared and heard. This creates more space for moving forward and resolving these issues.
2) Being seen and heard
When participants come into a circle, they often have a pent up need to express themselves and feel heard and seen. The circle offers a space for that.
3) Learning and Deepening Our Listening Skills
Learn to listen more deeply
4) Creativity
About creating a space where each person can tap into their creativity. Once participants feel heard and seen, they feel more space for creative thought.
5) Build closer Relationships
Develop closer relationships with other participants.
6) Transformation of Consciousness
The relational consciousness of the participants changes and deepens. From perhaps feeling separate to connection, etc.
7) Easily Learnable
The basic practice is easily learnable. With a short instruction, 2 or more people can begin within a few minutes.
8) Most benefit for least amount of effort
A circle can be started quickly and the reflection of understanding has the most benefit for people in real life situations.
9) No Cost
Anyone can host an empathy circle at no cost.
10) Easily Reproducible
Empathy circles can be easily learned and implemented which means they can spread rapidly.
ADVANCE EMPATHY CIRCLES
1) Conflict Resolution
2) Finding Solutions to Practical Problems
Practical problem solving of human needs. Empathy is used in the design community as a gateway to
Problem-solving in groups and teams increases the quality of decisions by making decisions more inclusive.
OTHER
Deepen Listening Skills
learn to listen more deeply
Creativity
About creating a space where each person can tap into their creativity. Once participants feel heard and seen, they feel more space for creative thought.
Build closer Relationships
Develop closer relationships with other participants.
Purging (Catharsis)
A place to 'purge' your pent up feelings. When participants come into a circle, they often have a pent up need to express themselves and feel heard and seen. The circle offers a space for that.
Transformation of Consciousness
The relational consciousness of the participants changes and deepens. From perhaps feeling separate to connection, etc.
Improved Communication
I just need to say that I learned Soooo much from you in our short interactions. I found myself in a tough interaction with a leader today. I asked if we could shift into empathic listening and explained that. It changed the whole dynamic so much! It just really reinforced for me how essential empathy is!!!!