While training young people, youth workers and other target groups we follow a set of universal values like honesty and respect. These values are the basis of humanistic pedagogy, non-formal education. Empathy is an ability and skill which allows us to be honest and respectful in educational relationships.
Often the words of ‘empathy, honesty and respect’ are used as slogans, not grasping the essence of it. In educational settings for a trainer, it is essential to have a personal definition for these terms and be able to explain them in an understandable way.
This method will allow the trainer to reflect what do honesty and respect mean for me, especially in my line of work or the field which I advocate for. Also it will help the trainer to develop a better understanding of what empathy is and how to strengthen this skill.
Why did I choose this tool?
In training, it is important to assure the psychological safety of the participants. Skills such as sympathy and empathy are essential to understand the participants’ state of mind. Respect is important for a trainer to react in relevant manner. These skills are the basis of trainers’ professionalism.
How does this apply to being a trainer?
When working in training programs which are based on group processes, self-analysis and analysis of difficult cases e.g. EVS trainings, training courses on group dynamics, youth worker training, it is essential for the trainer to demonstrate empathy, sympathy and respect. These skills are needed to assure a deep, quality process. Only if the trainer is able to understand what the participants have experienced, he can respond correctly to the participants’ questions and reactions.
Main content:
a) Personal reflection on honesty and respect:
- Make a personal definition of what does “honesty and respect” mean for you?
- Think about why honesty and respect are important in the work of a trainer/educator.
- Think about what is specific about honesty and respect in the themes you work with. Why it is important? (e.g. education through sports, HRE, ecology, gender and etc.)
- Think of 3 examples when you were honest and respectful in your work as a trainer/educator
b) Watch these 2 videos which define what is honesty and respect:
Respect
Honesty – Tedtalk
Example of honesty in professional live video:
c) Empathy helps you to understand what the other person is experiencing. The next step will help you to understand what is the skill of ‘empathy’ and how it is different to ‘sympathy’. Watch the next video and reflect:
Empathy vs. Sympathy
Reflection questions
- Define for yourself what is empathy and what is sympathy
- Think of at least 3 situations in training when you have to be empathic. What educational goals can empathy help you to achieve?
- When should the trainer use sympathy? What educational goals can sympathy help the trainer to achieve?
Exercises
To practice these skills in everyday life and training practice, try to name people’s emotions. Try to name how participants feel during the day, by yourself or together with a colleague trainer. Check in the reflection of the day, by asking the participants how they felt during the day.
Same would be done with a friend or with colleagues.
