Empathy is not the same as compassion. This is what so many (HR) managers are getting wrong. Empathy is the ability to see it from the other person’s perspective. That’s it.
Compassion isn’t a bad thing, and it could even be what the person is looking for, but it should be contingent upon empathy.
Empathy isn’t imagining how you would feel in their place. Empathy is imagining how they feel.
When somebody (finally) musters up the courage to share what they’re going through with their manager, try to really see it from their perspective.
I propose a reverse Sinek.
What are they actually feeling? How did they end up feeling this way? Why do they feel this way?
Try this approach next time empathy is required.
Bonus tip: empathy is always required.