Empathy

In this week’s readings, the authors discuss emotional intelligence, a concept which measures people’s ability to understand emotions and express them appropriately. As you have learned, this ability is crucial to communicating effectively in interpersonal relationships. One of the major components of emotional intelligence is the ability to empathize with others.

Prepare: As you prepare to write this discussion post, take a few moments to do the following:

• Read the writing prompt below in its entirety. Notice that there are three tasks to complete:
• Based on what you have learned in Chapter 8, start formulating a definition of empathy and consider why it is important in effective communication.
• Brainstorm some examples of times when you had difficulties empathizing with others.
• Think of some ways you could have handled the situation differently.
• Review the  grading rubric.

Reflect: Take time to reflect on why empathy is so important in becoming better communicators. Consider how we might become more empathetic.

Write: Based on the information in Chapter 8 in the text

• Define empathy and explain why it is important for effective communication.
• Share an example of a time when you found it difficult to empathize with someone. How did you handle the situation?
• What could you have done differently to empathize with them? Consider what you have learned in class this week.

Thoroughly address all three elements of this prompt by writing at least two to three sentences on each element. Use the course readings at least once to help you make your points. Consider copying and pasting these tasks into a word file and addressing each of them separately.

Your initial response should be 200 to 300 words in length and is due by Thursday, Day 3.

Willingness to Listen

To be an effective communicator we must master the core competence of listening. A willingness to listen during an interaction allows you to understand others, respond appropriately to what they say, or provide helpful feedback.

Prepare: As you prepare to write this discussion post, take a few moments to

• Read the writing prompt below in its entirety. Notice that there are three tasks to complete:
• Complete the following listening survey and record your results: Active Listening
• Think about how your listening style shapes your professional relationships.
• Make a list of some specific techniques from the Bevan and Sole (2014) you can use to improve your listening.
• Reread Section 7.2: Listening.
• Review the  grading rubric.

Reflect: Take time to reflect on why listening is so important in becoming better communicators. Consider how the listening techniques covered in the course text could improve your professional relationships.

Write: Based on your quiz results and what you learned in Section 7.2 of the text, answer the following questions:

• What is your willingness to listen score? What feedback did you receive from the quiz? Why do you think this measure was an accurate or inaccurate representation of your willingness to listen?
• How do you think your willingness to listen score could impact your professional relationships?
• How can you improve your listening? Explain some specific techniques described in our text and how improvement in these areas could enhance your professional relationships. Consider what you have learned in class this week.

Thoroughly address all three elements of this prompt by writing at least two to three sentences on each element. Use the course readings at least once to help you make your points. Consider copying and pasting these tasks into a word file and addressing each of them separately.

Your initial response should be 200 to 300 words in length and is due by Thursday, Day 3.