HOW TO SHOW EMPATHY AND NOT GET SUCKED INTO SLIME PITS
Empathy is a platform for relationship, not encouragement to wallow in slime pits.
Solid relationships strengthen people.
Strong people perform better than weak.
Empathize, don
@RoguishType Unfortunately, different people use the word "empathy" to mean completely different things. There have been long, confusing discussions about it in these forums. So making statements about empathy isn't very useful unless you explain exactly which kind of empathy you prefer. And if you do explain your preference, people who have some different preference will disagree with you.
Personally, I think that the word "must" is a red flag. The word "should" is another red flag. I do not think it is ever right for a listener to tell anyone how they must feel or should feel. I think it is better for us to listen to how people really do feel, although that can be a challenge. It is less challenging for us to tell people how we think they must feel or should feel.
But I completely agree with you that it's OK for members to feel any kind of emotion, and it's often important for us to let them know that.
Charlie
