Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important for there to be only one reflective listener?
Radio show questions
What is an empathy circle?
How does the process of an empathy circle lead to better communication?
What is the goal of these empathy circles?
How can people get involved?
Can people volunteer to facilitate as well?
What is involved in the training process?
FAQ
What is empathy?
What is the difference between empathy, sympathy and compassion?
What if a speaker gets taken over by emotions, breaks-down, becomes uncontrollable?
While practicing empathy, how to save yourself from being burdened by the emotional display of things being said?
As one with a psychology background, I was trained to believe that empathy is something you have or have not. And there isn't much you can do to acquire it past your formative childhood years. Like Trump is an extreme case of narcissism without an ounce of empathy. No way that I can see for him to change?
Explain what an empathy circle is and how it works:
Do you stand or sit?
How many people?
Is there a particular location that’s optimal?
How does the speaking and listening work?
How do people take turns talking?
Is there a leader and if so how does that work?
What are the goals?
What are potential obstacles and how do you handle them?
What if people argue, how do you handle that?
What if people are judgmental, how do you handle that?
Describe how to get people to participate in your empathy circle or empathy tent:
How did you get your family to participate?
Were they resistant?
If so, what did you do to overcome that?
When you’re approaching non-family/strangers, how do you get people to participate, especially if they’re resistant?
Describe outcomes:
How many empathy circles have you done with your family?
Has the process evolved and if so, how?
What has come out of those empathy circles?
Same questions for the empathy tent.