A simple definition of empathy  is the abilty to understand someone’s feelings, thoughts, and concerns. It’s the ability to walk a mile in another’s shoes. It is a soft skill that reaps great benefits.

At a college, we employees are so enmeshed in the academic world that we sometimes forget how overwhelming things can be for the prospective or new student. Taking a minute to understand where the person is coming from can defuse an awkward, or even hostile, situation

Here are some daily practices to develop empathy:

•  Listen to people. This would seem obvious, but how many of us are actually thinking about the next thing we need to do while ‘listening’ to someone?
• Don’t interrupt people.
• Don’t rush to give advice before listening all the way through.
• Don’t dismiss others’ concerns as minor.
• Encourage people to speak up.
• Ask questions to get the full story.
• Just think how you would want to be treated if you were the person, and then act accordingly.

Source material: Bruna Martinuzzi: The Leader as a Mensch.