Achieving empathy

Here’s how to achieve an empathetic level of awareness, which is an integral component of safety coaching.

• Take off your blinders. Minimize the reactive filters that bias conversations. They are barriers to listening intently and proactively to another person.
• Ask more questions. This is how you truly understand the other person’s position and eventually diagnose problems.
• Listen for more than words. We must also be sensitive to feelings, passion and commitment, which come across as much in body language and manner of expression as in words themselves.
• Use your imagination. When you observe another person’s work practices, try to view the situation from that individual’s perspective.
• Weigh alternatives. When you consider action plans for improvement, try to view various alternatives by putting yourself in the shoes of the other person.