COLLABORATION

Empathy and Respect

The behaviours in the table below show how you can demonstrate the skill of Empathy and Respect at each of the competency levels in which it appears. Click on the plus sign to show the behaviours at that level.

Click here to read more about how the competency levels work.

Resources

Below you will find learning resources to help you develop the skill of Empathy and Respect. Click on the links to access the resources.

PDFs
The Power of Empathy
Empathy is one of the most powerful tools you can use to build productive relationships. It is fundamental to building collaboration. This PDF explains what empathy is, how to demonstrate it, and the impact it will have if you choose (or not) to use it. It will help you to defuse conflict, connect with and motivate others, and improve efficiency.

How Do Values Work?
This PDF explains what values are and why they are important, as well as how they impact behaviour and relationships. Values underpin a lot of beliefs and attitudes, and can often be a source of conflict. Understanding how they work will enable you to tap into a person’s motivation and lead them more effectively.

VIDEOS
The Power of Empathy
This video explains why and how empathy is one of the most powerful tools you can use to build productive relationships. It is fundamental to building collaboration. Learn if you are already demonstrating empathy effectively, how easy it is to stop doing it, how to be alerted to using it effectively and realise the benefits it brings.

How Do Values Work?
This video explains what values are and why they are important. Values underpin behaviours, beliefs, emotions, motivations, and attitudes. Learn how to recognise and find out your own and others’ values and build them into how you understand yourself, how you understand and approach others, and how they enable you to motivate, lead and manage more effectively.

Empathy for Everyone
This video is useful if you or your employees are suffering from anxiety or overwhelm, or are feeling disconnected from your job, team, or the organisation. It describes the benefits of empathy for self and others and explains what you can do to increase empathy in your team. It looks into how empathy evolved, what impact a lack of empathy will do in a team, and provides tools to help increase empathy. 

ON THE JOB ACTIONS
Awareness
Read and/or watch 'The Power of Empathy' and think about the situation, thoughts, and feelings of your colleagues in any situation where it is important to collaborate. This skill underpins all successful outcomes in interpersonal situations, so you won’t be wasting your time.


Respect
Wanting to feel respected is a natural human instinct. Wanting to show others respect is a sign of decency. How to do it needs some thought. Reflect on what makes you feel respected. This will be specific actions by others e.g., making eye contact with you, or being asked for your input. Also, think about what makes you feel disrespected (often the opposite.

Your ‘specifics’ may not be the same as others so don’t make assumptions about how to treat others. Ask a colleague specifically what you can do to show respect to them, and what would they receive as disrespect. This shows consideration and is of practical use.

Values
Read and/or watch 'How Do Values Work?' so you can recognise how fundamental they are to a person’s wellbeing. Pay attention to what people tell you or show about their values. Get in the habit of asking “What’s important to you about that?”

Differences
When someone disagrees with you look for their positive motivation behind the behaviour even if your first instinct is anger or frustration. Then vary your response appropriately.

Groups
Put yourself in the position of different teams or groups. What are their concerns? What are their objectives? Collaboration means giving others an input to a situation.