Professional Learning for Busy Educators

Up until a decade or two ago, most companies took a standardised approach to hire talents. The HR department posted a detailed job analysis along with a list of skill sets required for the role. This was followed by a shortlisting of potential candidates based on their professional and personal backgrounds. And, the last step involved the extensive interview process which often went for over a month. Cut to 2019; the recruitment industry has undergone a massive transformation. 

With the workforce becoming increasingly globalized, the hiring process, too, has changed drastically to meet the requirements of new generation jobs. These changing times mandate a shift in how companies hire and retain talents. In today’s increasingly digital era, hiring managers are looking beyond the academic qualifications of candidates. Despite the fuss over grades, good grades alone are not enough. There is an increasing emphasis on skills such as design thinking, problem-solving, adaptability and empathy – all of which are indispensable to current as well as future job roles

At one time or another, many an educator searches for ways of becoming a more empathetic teacher. It mostly comes from a strong desire to educate children by using genuine connection and understanding. Arguably, this is perhaps the most effective pathway to imparting a meaningful lifelong learning mindset.

A classic explanation of empathy is the ability to walk in another’s shoes and understand that person’s experience. Empathy is a common language across environments, contexts, and relationships. Everyone can benefit from practicing it, and it can certainly do no wrong in our classrooms.

What’s the difference between empathy and sympathy? There is one, and it’s pretty important.

In brief, empathy is feeling with or alongside someone, while sympathy is feeling sorry for, which Brene Brown,research  professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, explores in the video above. Brown reduces the difference between empathy and sympathy as the difference between feeling with and feeling for, calling empathy a ‘sacred space’ and a ‘choice.’

It’s not always easy to see someone else’s perspective. Anyone who tries to see from another viewpoint has to take into consideration another person’s past experiences and current emotions.

Understanding what another person is going through requires empathy, which is a learned characteristic.