I am so glad to attended Empathy Circle Facilitation Training and through training I learned a lot about empathic listening and connection enabled by the structure of Empathy Circle, as well as being a facilitator myself. I was surprised by the positive feedbacks when being a facilitator. I also met wonderful people from all around the world. Thank you, Edwin Rutsch and other trainers to teach me this valuable skill which can be widely used for multiple purposes. We need more people to join Empathy Circles to connect in this hard and uncertain times.
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"When someone really hears you without passing judgment on you, without trying to take responsibility for you, without trying to mold you, it feels damn good!" Carl Rogers
Empathic listening is a skill that everyone could do with having a lot more of.
I recently completed a course in Empathy Circle facilitation with Edwin Rutsch of the Center for Building a Culture Of Empathy. At its heart lies deep listening and reflecting what we hear back to the speaker to ensure that they are fully heard to their satisfaction.
Sounds simple (and it can be). But I also found it exhausting at times. It was a bit of a wake up call for me, actually. I realized that I don't always focus my full attention on the other person speaking. Rather, I'm thinking of what I want to say next or I'm lost in thoughts about a similar experience I had.
To be truly present for another person is a precious gift and one I believe is worth striving for. Empathy is all about connection and understanding. About being there for the other person. About listening. Deep listening.
We need far more empathic listening in our workplaces, in our schools, within our families and amongst our politicians. It all starts with intention and practice. Too many of us go around every day like this ->->->🙉
An Empathy Circle is an excellent place to start and I look forward to hosting future circles in the near future.
Thank you to all trainers, empathy buddies and fellow participants on the course who opened their hearts and listened empathically to me❤️👂🏼
Colin Cafferty
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