Jim Collison:
[0:00] Welcome to Season 4 of The CliftonStrengths Podcast, where we'll dive deep into how CliftonStrengths themes build powerful partnerships and help teams thrive. I'm Jim Collison, Gallup's CliftonStrengths Community Manager.
Jillian White:
[0:09] And I'm Jillian White, Gallup's Subject Matter Expert on Culture and Leadership and our Lead Subject Matter Expert for CliftonStrengths.
Jim Collison:
[0:16] Today's theme is Empathy. We'll explore what this theme brings, what it needs and how it fosters collaboration. Jillian, as always, welcome!
Jillian White:
[0:23] Thank you, Jim. Great to get started on this strength. And I thought it's so appropriate that as we are recording this podcast on Empathy, this is actually the week that we launched our World Happiness Report. So it feels very appropriate and in line with creating a more empathetic world around us.
Jim Collison:
[0:40] Yeah, I love we have a report with the word "happiness" in it.
Jillian White:
[0:42] Yeah.
Jim Collison:
[0:43] So I always appreciate that. Hey, let's back up a little bit. As we think about Empathy, can you give us a little refresher on what this theme looks like?
Jillian White:
[0:51] Yeah, just a reminder — individuals who are high in that Empathy theme, they are talented at sensing other people's feelings. So they oftentimes can imagine themselves in someone else's shoes. I always think of it a little like a sixth sense. They can literally feel what other people are feeling. It's a Relationship Building strength, so it oftentimes helps them to have emotional depth in relationships. It creates very safe spaces around them. Oftentimes, other people feel cared for when they're across from someone with that high Empathy. And the image that I have is just simply a heart. These are oftentimes people who you can see the emotion in them, and they oftentimes have that heart that beats for other people, because they can sense and feel the emotions in other people around them.
Jim Collison:
[1:37] I have higher Individualization but lower Empathy. When I manage people, I really try to find someone with high Empathy, because I think in managing, it can be a secret weapon. And weapon's probably the wrong word — a secret benefit, let's put it that way, right, of being able to understand, Hey, what's the, what's the temperature of the team, or what's the temperature of this individual, right? How are things really going there, especially sometimes — and maybe, I think we learned during COVID, high Empathy can kind of even sense this past the barriers of being in person, right, and understanding the same kinds of things. Jillian, for you in the consulting work that you do, where have you seen this, or what's a good example of it as something you've seen?
Jillian White:
[2:22] You know, I, I love this challenge to keep looking for the business edge in how these strengths work with other people. And I actually have a really powerful example of this one. There's a leadership team that I've been working with for over 5 years. And this leadership team, I see an incredible partnership between the head of the business and their head of HR. And what's interesting, the head of the business has all the classic, like high Achiever, Competition, Focus. And you just see this, even how he runs a meeting is just like, let's go at it hard. Right.
Jillian White:
[2:55] And this head of HR has Empathy in her Top 5. And what's happened as a result of this incredible partnership is this leader of the business oftentimes says, Hey, what did you observe happening in that room as we were walking through things? What are people feeling on the ground? Maybe we're rolling out this big change across the company. But be my spidey sense to say, How are people actually receiving this and feeling about it? And oftentimes, this individual actually has Empathy and Communication in her Top 5. So she's able to articulate, Hey, you know what? Here's where we may need to adjust some things, based on what I'm sensing and seeing and feeling from people around me. So it's actually a beautiful partnership. And I think they've been able to adjust their approaches and their strategies as a team to truly lead and manage change better, because they're bringing people with them because they're understanding how people are feeling on the other side of what they're rolling out or what they're focused on together as a team. So it's beautiful to see that Empathy as such a gift to helping understand how people are feeling and absorbing things.
Jim Collison:
[3:59] I often pride myself on a good reader of body language. That's one of the —
Jillian White:
[4:03] High Individualization, yeah.
Jim Collison:
[4:03] If I can't see you, I don't know what's going on. I love this idea. That's like, for me, that's like one-dimensional Empathy. I love to see Empathy in action, where it's three-dimensional, and it's really the whole, maybe the whole person's being and really understanding how they're feeling. I'm jealous of it. I wish sometimes I had that, but I just don't. We have a new section of Gallup Access around our Community tab. Actually, you can share your themes with others. And then in those, in that tab, you can look at how you compare to someone else. We got some tools called I Bring and I Need that are available there, some statements for you. We're going to practice with that with you today. You can certainly log in and get that for you in, in your Top 5. But Jillian, what, what does Empathy bring?
Jillian White:
[4:47] Yeah, let's think about what it brings in partnership. It brings, first of all, emotional intelligence. One of the times I remember seeing this come to life, I had the opportunity to actually partner with an individual who hosts a number of television shows out of the States here. And he was hired by a company for us to roll something out. So we partnered together on it. He took StrengthsFinder. He had Empathy in his Top 5. And I said, "How do you use Empathy as a television host?" And he said, "I simply say what I sense other people need to hear, based on what I can tell they're feeling." I thought, what a cool way to see that ability to bring emotional intelligence to how you're approaching something and how you're partnering with others.
Jillian White:
[5:30] They also bring a lot of emotional depth in their relationships. I see individuals high with Empathy oftentimes create safe spaces for people to feel cared about and to feel heard, because they feel what they're feeling. And I think people can almost feel that back. They feel cared for through that process. I had to laugh, Jim, because I actually have an aunt of mine who has Empathy No. 1. She was going to join, to listen to our live recording today. And she sent me a text, and she said, "I actually, I have a friend going through some tough things right now. And she asked me to meet for lunch. So I'm actually going to spend some time with her, and I'll listen to the recording later." And I thought, what a great example of Empathy in action. It brings that to its partnership. It is willing to feel what other people need and bring that emotional depth and care as a result.
Jim Collison:
[6:18] As I'm reading the notes that we have, as we think about what we need, I often think of the "we" relationship that, that Empathy brings. What does it need?
Jillian White:
[6:28] Yeah, it needs freedom to emote. It is going to feel the emotions. And so, if I'm partnering with somebody with high Empathy, they might be a little more likely to cry or a little more likely to laugh. They need freedom to experience some of those emotions. They also need an ability to use their intuition. I think, our CEO actually sent out a note to all of us about a potential bias on being data-driven in the world we operate in. Now, data is a beautiful thing, right? It helps us make better decisions. But what does somebody with that high Empathy bring? They go, Let's just make sure that alongside of that data, we're using the data of that intuition of how people are feeling and responding to things.
Jillian White:
[7:10] So I also think, and we'll bring this up in partnerships, but I think one more thing that people with high Empathy need, I've seen this happen with friends that have high Empathy or people who have high Empathy inside of an organization. Oftentimes, they need help not sitting in the emotions that other people bring to them and not carrying those, because they do tend to feel what others are feeling. And I oftentimes find it's like they've got a sign on their forehead that people just feel safe sharing with them. And so they oftentimes carry a lot of the emotions of others. And so, partnerships that help them be able to either create some boundaries or be able to kind of move forward from that can be really helpful for somebody with that high Empathy.
Jim Collison:
[7:52] And a PSA note, just as someone who's done this before, friends, if you sense your friend with high Empathy, you're overloading them, back off.
Jillian White:
[8:02] I do try to be conscious of that with the high Empathy friends.
Jim Collison:
[8:06] I think that's a good, because you can, and they'll take it, right? And sometimes, they'll just continue to take it. So just be aware of that as well. In the new CliftonStrengths Top 5 report, we've added a section we call Theme Dynamics. It's really looking at two themes together. We're going to look at it from an individual standpoint and then partnerships. We have, in our database, we've got some themes that pair very, very closely together. When we think about [Empathy], what, what, what statistically pairs with that?
Jillian White:
[8:33] Statistically, in our database, the one it's most likely to pair with is Developer. I want to actually read the statement from the Top 5 report, because I don't think I can say it better than the statement says. "Human emotion and potential are invisible realities. You can help others express their feelings and achieve their potential." So you hear both those strengths coming out, right? Empathy is going to sense what other people are feeling. Developer wants to help them see their potential. So that ability to kind of cultivate emotion and potential in someone is a really beautiful combination. It's got to feel fantastic to be on the other side of somebody who, what a great mentor or teacher or coach to have both Empathy and Developer together.
Jim Collison:
[9:17] Yeah, we've had TeamMates on campus. They're, they're out of here, you know, they're from the area here, in Lincoln. And I think their whole mission is to help others express their feelings and achieve their potential in this mentoring concept. Yeah, just, that's reminded me of that. Let's think about Theme Dynamics and partnerships and collaboration. You've got some things there that may be helpful as well.
Jillian White:
[9:39] Yeah, on the catalyst partner — so the person who could just really take that ability to understand people to a whole new level — I think about, you mentioned Individualization earlier, Jim. This is a strength that's really good at observing what makes people unique. So imagine if you had somebody with high Empathy partnering with that high Individualization. They are really going to be able to tailor something specific to a person. Maybe you pair some Learner with that as well. I also think someone who has high Empathy is good at feeling what others are feeling, but being able to put some words to that is helpful. So partnering with somebody with high Communication might be helpful. They can help build that story around the emotion or put those gut feelings into words. I also think something like Positivity could be fun for that high Empathy, especially if they're sitting in some of those emotions, to think about how they can lift those emotions would be fun to partner with and very productive to partner with.
Jillian White:
[10:34] On the complementary side, so when I think about some strengths, it might be typically a little further down the report, with somebody who has high Empathy, I think about something like Analytical, right? Empathy tends to lead with more of that intuition and understanding what people are feeling. Analytical tends to lead a little more with that logical approach. Now, put those two together. What a powerful partnership, because you've got intuition and logic coming together to make really great decisions and have a strong partnership. I also go back to, you know, that what's the risk with Empathy? It can sit in the emotion. So partnering with some strengths that help move you forward and help you think about how to take action — Command, Achiever, Activator, Self-Assurance — those are all going to bring a little forward movement. It's good to look for that in a partnership with Empathy as well.
Jim Collison:
[11:23] I love that idea of Self-Assurance and Command partnering, right, being a complementary partner to Empathy. I don't know if I've ever thought of that combination before, but that confidence, that movement, that, that, I love that. I love that idea.
Jillian White:
[11:40] I think where they can come in is if the person with high Empathy can understand and articulate the emotion in a situation, they can use that, they're Influencing strengths, right? They can use that to pave a path forward, right? So it's, OK, what do we do with, if this is, if people are feeling really frustrated or there's low morale in our work environment right now or on our team, OK, how do we use that to think differently about how we're moving things forward with confidence?
Jim Collison:
[12:05] Well said. As we wrap up our time here together, we've got some tips for leaders, teams and individuals. Let's talk about leaders first. How can leaders recognize and harness Empathy in their teams and in their organizations?
Jillian White:
[12:16] Yeah, first of all, start to spot it on your team. Look for those people who, they're very aware of emotions. They may even show or feel more emotions than others around them. I think if you're a leader working with somebody who has high Empathy, ask them "feeling" questions. That will resonate with them. You can even think about this in partnering with somebody with high Empathy, right? Ask them, "What's your read on how the team is feeling right now? How are you feeling about your work?" That will actually resonate with somebody who has that high Empathy. And then, think about how you position them to use that intuition and to build relationships. There might be times where you know people need to feel really cared for on the team, and so you think about how to partner them in that way. But leverage that intuition and that ability to build relationships through their strong sense of empathy.
Jim Collison:
[13:01] What should teams know about Empathy, someone with Empathy, working with them? Last, in the last session, we talked about maybe even onboarding, that idea of bringing them in and using them. What should they know about someone with high Empathy?
Jillian White:
[13:12] Yeah, I always like to think, if I'm on the other side of this strength, how do I honor it? And a good way to think about honoring Empathy is allowing people to feel what they need to feel. I also think, I'm a little more careful with my words with high Empathy, because I know that they will feel things deeply. And so being able to intentionally share things that help them feel appropriately, I think, is helpful with somebody with that high Empathy. I think if I'm onboarding somebody onto a team, go back to the question I said to ask earlier, I would periodically just check in and say, "Hey, how are you feeling about coming to the company?" Maybe you even put some words to emotions. That's going to be meaningful to them. Remember, Empathy is good at putting itself in other people's shoes. So try to give them the same thing. Say, "I would imagine right now, coming onto this team, it's probably got to feel a little overwhelming for you or a little exciting or nervous on your first day." All of those things that honor emotion in that process will really speak to and help that Empathy feel cared about.
Jim Collison:
[14:15] Last question as we wrap it: What should someone think about who has high Empathy and keep in mind for partnerships?
Jillian White:
[14:21] I have a little of an odd piece of advice to give with this one, but I was, so we'll see how this lands. I don't have Empathy in my Top 5, so you can tell me, folks who have high Empathy, if this is not good advice. But I was thinking about how Empathy is wired, and it takes on and feels the emotions of others. So I would just encourage you, think about who you are partnering with and how they make you feel. It's going to feel good if you are partnering with some people that actually help fill your tank, right? And that, as you get to care and have that intuition and feeling, that they're bringing you things that actually help you feel good about that partnership. So that would just be a small piece of advice I would give when people are thinking about how to even choose their partnerships with that high Empathy.
Jillian White:
[15:10] And then I would, finally, just encourage you — Use everything we've been talking about today. You are that person who creates safe spaces for people around you and helps people feel understood and heard. Thank you for bringing those strengths, because it can be such a gift to other people on the team or in a partnership, to know that someone is putting themselves in their shoes. So keep using that as a part of what you bring.
Jim Collison:
[15:33] With that, we'll remind everyone to take full advantage of all the resources we do have available in Galp Access. If you want to learn more about Empathy, head out, log in, choose the menu, upper-left menu, choose Resources, then put "Empathy" in the search line. All, everything we've done around that, all the seasons of Theme Thursday and called, and The CliftonStrengths Podcast available for you there. Continue the learning, and we'd love to see you do that as well. If you're listening live, stay around for a little bit of a postshow. Maybe, Jillian, they can answer your question about that —
Jillian White:
[16:03] I was thinking the same thing, Jim.
Jim Collison:
[16:03] in the chat. If you're listening to the podcast, or if you're on YouTube, you can leave that comment below as well, if you want to, if you want to do that. For everybody else, with that, we'll say, Goodbye, everybody.
Jillian White's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are Achiever, Input, Learner, Belief and Responsibility.