My Strengthsfinder 2.0 report said, "People who are especially talented in the Empathy theme can sense the feelings of other people by imagining themselves in others' lives or others' situations."
How Empathy shows up in my life: I don't know how to explain it, but I really do sense the feelings of others. One of my mentors has told me that this is the strength he sees in me the most - my ability to put myself in another's shoes and then to use that Empathy to establish rapport, but not to manipulate. People tell me, "when I met you I felt like you really liked me and understood me." That's how a relationship began that led to the sale of my business into a wonderful stewardship. How else does Empathy reveal itself? I'm a person that others will confide in. In fact, I've had situations where the professional I was talking with turned the tables and started telling me her stories. One even cried.
Because I haven't learned to turn this empathy off, it can get me in trouble, too (beyond paying professionals and then being the one to do the counseling). If someone near me is feeling very angry or blue, I am inclined to focus on them, and perhaps not the situation at hand. The other way I find it troubling is that I simply don't do well in groups - too many feelings to be felt. It can be, quite literally, painful. Still, I still wouldn't trade Empathy away. She's a good friend that serves me well.
Strengthsfinder 2.0 said my Top Five Themes are Intellection, Empathy, Input, Learner and Connectedness.
Here's what I'm wondering: How do other people see Empathy playing out in their lives?
Related posts
Connectedness - Strengthsfinder 2.0
Learner - Strengthsfinder 2.0
Input - Strengthsfinder 2.0
Intellection - Strengthsfinder 2.0
Strengthsfinder 2.0
2 comments:
I have empathy as my number one strength as well and see myself in all that you have written.The only downside for me is that I cry easy. If my eyes tear up for any reason, I cannot reverse it. It has humiliated me in several discussions with my bosses and others. Do you have this issue? If so, did you find a way to control it?
Hi bourie. I sometimes have the crying issue. It will strike when I'm not expecting it, when I become overwhelmed with the emotion - my own or others. I can only think of a few times that it may have gotten in the way. Generally, I run (physically or conversationally) before I get to tears. But the tears will come after the encounter.
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