Sympathy: It Benefits Everyone!

Whether in a work or personal setting, developing relationships based on loyalty and respect is essential to your long-term success. Consider these two examples of moments where a sympathetic ear can be beneficial for everyone involved:

Support Your Team: A team leader may notice one of the people in their office is having a tough time. Whether their struggle stems from a difficult adjustment to a new situation, or problems in their personal life, consider taking a moment to approach them privately and respectfully, if they have not come to talk to you already.

Invite them to share what is weighing on their mind. After you hear the thought that is upsetting or distracting them, convey to them that you sympathize. You can say something like, “I don’t blame you for feeling the way you do. If I were you, I’d probably feel the same way.”

The sharing may not only bring some relief to your team member, your response helps them understand you relate to them and care about their happiness. Someone who feels valued is more likely to stay committed to the team, especially if they know you relate to their hopes and fears.

Encourage Clients: Often individuals seek professional services because they feel there is an area of their life that needs improvement. You may find yourself in a position where you can hear aspirations or anxiety coming from a client. In this case, respond sympathetically. If they feel their emotions are relatable, they move from feeling insecure or alone to assured you are truly there to help them on their path.

In many instances, sharing our thoughts can be a great source of comfort in itself. Be respectful of those thoughts and ready to express your sympathy. Our willingness to support each other is guaranteed to lead us to professional and personal growth.

To learn more about more about helpful self-improvement tips, visit the Syncis blog.