Tidbits

Some wise words from an Education Week instructor (on compassion). I'll admit I've been frustrated with these responses and I have also made the mistakes of using them myself. I need to work on this.

UNHELPFUL responses:

• Giving advice: “What you need to do is . . .”

• Talking about your own feelings and experiences instead of theirs: “That same thing happened to me. . . .”

• Making their pain seem unimportant: “Everyone suffers. What makes you so special?”

HELPFUL ways of showing understanding:

• Acknowledge their feelings: “I can see that you feel strongly about this.”

• Invite more discussion: “I would like to understand. Please tell me more.”

• Acknowledge that their pain is real for them: “You must feel awful.”