How to Communicate: Empathy For A Group Member
HOW TO COMMUNICATE|Video Skills
EMPATHY FOR A GROUP MEMBER
One way to improve your communication competence is by adapting your messages to others’ behaviors. Learn how to express empathy by completing the How to Communicate video activity below.
CONSIDER THIS:
You’re assigned to lead a group project for a class. One team member, Alex, has missed two of the first three meetings. When you meet with Alex to discuss this, you discover that she has a three-year-old she is raising as a single mother and that she is working full-time to put herself through school. She genuinely wants to contribute to the project, but is struggling to juggle all of the competing demands in her life.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
The advice below illustrates how to express empathy for Alex’s situation while still keeping the group’s goals in mind. As you watch the video, consider how the dialogue reflects perspective-taking and empathic concern. Then, test your knowledge of key skills, and create your own responses to the What if? video prompts on the next page.
Download transcript
OPENLY EXPRESS CONCERN for Alex as a person, not just as a group member. (“We’ve missed you at the last couple of meetings…I am concerned about how you’re doing personally. Is everything OK?…I’m here to listen, if you need someone to talk to.”)
LEGITIMIZE HER SITUATION, letting her know that feeling overwhelmed when faced with such demands is perfectly understandable. (“I can’t even imagine dealing with all that you’ve got going on right now. It’s totally understandable that you’re feeling stressed.”)
REAFFIRM THE IMPORTANCE OF HER CONTRIBUTION, making it clear that you want her to stay in the group. (“The insights you’ve contributed to the project so far have been awesome. We don’t want to lose you as a group member. What can we do to help you out, so we can make this work as a team?”)