The Power of Empathy

Dr. Helen Riess of Harvard Medical School has learned, our capacity for empathy is not just an innate trait—it is also a skill that we can learn and expand.

For reflection alone or together:

Riess outlines the acronym E.M.P.A.T.H.Y. as a way to remember the difference aspects of being an “emotional detective:”

E: eye contact; M: muscles of facial expression; P: posture; A: affect; T: tone of voice; H: hearing the whole person; Y: your response

Which of the seven qualities of empathy listed above are you most attuned to?

Which of the above are you least skilled at detecting?

How might you improve?