#EveryLittleActionCounts Week 50: Centre Empathy in Conversations
Empathy is a crucial element in creating an academic environment that is supportive, respectful, and inclusive. By centering empathy in our conversations, we foster understanding and compassion, ensuring that individuals feel heard, valued and understood.
This practice not only fortifies relationships but also strengthens the academic communities, enabling more meaningful collaborations and problem-solving, while reducing conflicts and misunderstandings.
“The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.” – Meryl Streep
Academics can support fostering empathy in conversations by:
Practicing active listening
Give others the space to express their thoughts and feelings without interruption and judgment.
Being open for all perspectives during conversations
Be open and consider the perspectives and experiences of others before responding.
Offer support and validation
Encourage colleagues and students to share their challenges, ensuring they feel respected and cared for in academic spaces.
We would be very happy to hear about your strategies for fostering empathic conversations in academia.
Anne-Wil Harzing & Christa Sathish