Who needs to know the differences?
The link between empathy and sympathy is incredibly unique, so it’s not surprising that understanding the differences between empathy and sympathy can improve communication, relationships, and teamwork.
After all, empathy and sympathy are two important emotional skills in the workplace — even when individuals may not always be clear on the differences between them.
This guide will provide an overview of empathy and sympathy, key differences, and tips for properly applying empathy and sympathy skills at work.
Definitions
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It involves seeing things from their perspective and connecting emotionally with their experience.
Sympathy is feeling sorrow or concern for the hardships or suffering of another person. It does not require sharing the same emotions.
Background Overview of Empathy Vs Sympathy
Both empathy and sympathy involve acknowledging another person’s emotions. However, empathy takes it a step further by actually experiencing those feelings.
Sympathy however maintains separation between the feelings of self and others.
Five Main Differences Between Empathy and Sympathy in the Workplace
To help you weed through the differences we have collated the following examples.
1. Perspective – The key is to empathy is seeing and emotionallly mapping things from another’s perspective. Sympathy does not require taking on someone else’s perspective.
Example: An empathetic manager will try to understand an employee’s viewpoint during a conflict. A sympathetic manager may feel bad for the employee but not connect to their perspective.
2. Emotional matching – With empathy, you feel along with the other person. Sympathy does not involve matching emotions.
Example: An empathetic colleague will pick up on and mirror a teammate’s excitement about a project. A sympathetic colleague may be happy for their teammate without feeling similarly excited.
3. Depth – Empathy creates a deeper emotional connection. Sympathy is more detached.
Example: An empathetic HR manager will make an effort to truly understand an employee’s grief over a personal loss. A sympathetic HR manager may feel sorry for the employee’s circumstances without truly sharing in their grief.
4. Action – Empathy is more likely to spark supportive action. Sympathy does not always lead to action.
Example: An empathetic supervisor will proactively offer schedule flexibility to an employee caring for a sick relative. A sympathetic supervisor may feel bad for the employee but not be moved to act.
5. Communication – Empathy facilitates open communication. Sympathy can block deeper connection.
Example: An empathetic listener will encourage a colleague to open up about their problems. A sympathetic listener may offer pity but discourage vulnerable sharing.
How to Reduce Mistaking Empathy and Sympathy in the Workplace
Differences and examples are well and good, but to find the best options for you, you’ll need to try for something different. After all, you need to not mistake empathy and sympathy in the workplace.
Whether you’re leading a team, interacting with other team members, customers, or working with suppliers, you’ll need to use some of our expert-approved options below, including reflection techniques that are popular with companies that use our training materials.
To illustrate:
- Reflect on your natural tendencies – are you more prone to sympathy or empathy? Being aware of your instincts can help you engage more consciously.
- Don’t assume you understand another’s experience until you take time to actively listen and get their perspective.
- Be present and attentive when others are sharing concerns with you.
- Ask clarifying questions to deepen understanding as needed.
- Own your emotions rather than projecting them onto others.
Recognizing When Empathy And Sympathy Are Required
Empathy is most helpful when seeking to deeply understand another person for open communication.
Sympathy can demonstrate care and concern when urgent action is less important than acknowledging a person’s feelings.
Overall, empathy tends to be more beneficial in leadership roles and situations requiring conflict management, coaching, collaboration, and relationship-building.
Sympathy is often preferable when offering compassion in response to hardship or grief.
The Value of Understanding Empathy vs Sympathy in the Workplace
When it comes to knowing the determining the value of understanding Empathy vs Sympathy in the workplace, the best advice is more about making a meaningful distinction on the value gained than complete strategies. To illustrate, this understanding:
- Improves relationships and social cohesion between colleagues.
- Aids conflict resolution.
- Helps leaders coach and develop employees.
- Encourages open communication and vulnerability.
- Promotes collaboration and teamwork.
- Reduces misunderstandings.
- Fosters inclusive, welcoming work culture.
Features of Empathy in the Workplace
Experts tell us that empathy involves:
- Perspective-taking.
- Emotional matching.
- Deep listening.
- Compassion.
- Vulnerability.
- Action/support.
Features of Sympathy in the Workplace
Sympathy, on the other hand, involves:
- Pity or sorrow.
- Detached concern.
- Surface-level comfort.
- Minimizing suffering.
- Downplaying emotions.
- Inaction.
5 Tips for Applying Empathy and Sympathy at Work
We pulled together our favorite five tips for applying empathy and sympathy at work. They include:
- Listen fully without judgment.
- Ask questions to understand the other’s perspective.
- Mirror the emotional tone you perceive.
- Offer relevant understanding based on your shared feeling.
- Know when to sympathize versus empathize, and adjust accordingly.
Example of empathy: An employee is upset about a conflict with their manager. Listen patiently, ask about their perspective, mirror their frustration, share a time you felt similarly, and offer to help work through the issue.
Example of sympathy: A colleague is grieving after a family loss. Acknowledge their pain, express sorrow for their circumstances, share condolences, and suggest taking time off.
How to Get Started with Empathy and Sympathy at Work
Get your thinking hats ready because our top five recommendations are here. This is the first time we have announced these practical suggestions.
We suggest that you should always:
- Reflect on your natural tendencies and biases.
- Educate yourself on empathy/sympathy differences.
- Practice mindful, active listening.
- Ask questions to understand others’ experiences.
- Express care and concern appropriately.
Conclusion
Developing empathy and applying sympathy thoughtfully are critical emotional intelligence skills in the workplace.
Empathy enables deeper connections and understanding between colleagues, while sympathy provides compassion.
By recognizing when each is appropriate and utilizing them effectively, you can build stronger relationships, customer focus skills, communication, interpersonal skills, and create a positive work culture.
With practice and conscious effort, empathy and sympathy can become natural tools for supporting your team.
With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
