Raising Empathy

In 1990, the term emotional intelligence was used for the first time by two researchers, Peter Salovey and John Mayer until Dan Goleman popularized it in his book, Emotional Intelligence. Following Goleman's footsteps, many researchers became interested in studying this topic. They proved that EQ is important to achieve success personally and professionally.

The arrival of 2020 has brought a handful of challenges to the world to confront. The pandemic itself, which has struck every corner of the globe, killing millions and leaving millions suffering mentally, was not the only challenge. As a result, various crises such as inflation and workforce shortages, have arisen. Additionally, it has created children’s mental health crisis, showing high rates of anxiety and depression among young people, as well as loneliness and isolation.

From the perspective of a childcare provider and small business owner, I investigated in this article; how would empathy as an indicator of EQ help ease the negative effect of these problems especially at work? why is it more imperative now than ever? how can leaders use empathy in retaining staff? what can childcare providers, parents, and other caregivers do to develop empathy in young children?

How important is empathy in general and why is it more important now?

Emotional intelligence is made up of two major competencies: personal competence and social competence. Empathy refers to the ability to understand the feelings of others. It indicates an individual's social competence and participates in determining the degree of his emotional intelligence.

Recent research has found a correlation between emotional intelligence (EQ) and success at work and in social situations, regardless of the degree of mental IQ. This means that a person who is average mentally, but emotionally intelligent can achieve more success in life than another who has a higher IQ and lower EQ.

Dr. Travis Bradberry, an author, and a world-renowned expert in emotional intelligence, explained this relationship in all his writings. In an article entitled, “Emotional Intelligence – EQ”, published by Forbes Magazine, Bradberry stated that, “people with average IQs outperform those with the highest IQs 70% of the time.”

He added that 90% of top performers at work that he tested were those who had high degree of EQ. He also found a strong relationship between the degree of EQ and earning. According to his research, “people with a high degree of emotional intelligence make more money—an average of $29,000 more per year than people with a low degree of emotional intelligence. The link between emotional intelligence and earnings is so direct that every point increase in emotional intelligence adds $1,300 to an annual salary.”

This article illustrates how imperative EQ is to perform well at work and earn more money. However, it was published six years before Corona Virus raised its stinking head in 2020. Right now, emotional intelligence is more significant than ever for reasons that extend beyond performance at work and earning money.

The pandemic has left a damaging effect on the mental health of people, and it is obvious to the naked eye. Research pointed out this negative effect with data to show a decline in people’s mental health worldwide.

In 2020, a global study conducted by Qualtrics found that the mental health of 42% of people has declined. This study also showed that while the stress level has increased in 67% of people, nearly 60% have experienced an increase in anxiety. This data indicates that the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused poor mental health outcomes for more than half of the world population.

In its most recent news release, the World Health Organization (WHO) has shared more disturbing info. The statistics confirmed that young people and women were worst hit. The report stated that “the pandemic has affected the mental health of young people and that they are disproportionally at risk of suicidal and self-harming behaviors. It also indicates that women have been more severely impacted than men.” While nearly 90 countries worldwide are experiencing these serious psychological problems, they suffer from a chronic shortage of mental health resources. This led WHO to announce a wake-up call to all countries to step up for mental health to urgently provide necessary care and services to all people.

Resources and health services shortage aren't our biggest concerns here in the United States, compared to inflation, gas prices, and political unrest. In the meantime, leadership in almost every field is burdened with the problem of a shortage of workforce. Worth mentioning, staffing problem consists of several dimensions; mental health is one of those dimensions that leaders should be aware of. The empath leaders would outperform the rest of the crowd when it comes to retaining staff.

How would empathy assist leaders retain employees?

Putting all this information together should give leaders at various work places some insights into the change that has occurred in mentality within the past 2 years. Consideration of people's emotions at work, while not a soft approach, can be seen as strategic thinking amid the current staffing crisis.

According to research, people stay in easy jobs to avoid extra stress and anxiety. Therefore, understanding the struggles that people face in their daily lives and responding appropriately to their needs will make their work life easier. This will prevent them from giving up or quitting. In return, leaders will earn the credit of retaining their employees for longer periods of time.

How would this dilemma connect to young children?

Children are our future leaders. However, we shouldn’t wait until they become adults and then advise them to be empathetic. The good news is that empathy as a skill can be learned. By examining the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards, empathy can be taught to children as young as infants. By the age of five, and by following simple research-based strategies, children will be able to demonstrate this skill by recognizing the feelings of others and responding appropriately in a positive manner.

How can we help young children develop empathy?

During the first year of age, the child begins to learn how to respond emotionally to those around him, negatively or positively. He may cry if he hears another baby is crying or smiling. The child may also smile when the caregiver smiles. Caregiver here refers to any adult who takes care of the child. The child sees the world around him through those who take care of him and interacts with the surrounding environment according to what he acquires from it at this early age. Therefore, it must be ensured that the caregiver does not suffer from mental problems such as depression. “Adult depression can affect the emotional security with infants with whom they interact.” (WMELS, p.30)

Throughout the second and third years of age, the child learns by observing, and imitating the actions of adults through emotional interaction with them. Thus, caregivers must be a positive example for the child to follow and must model kindness, respect, and compassion through their words, actions, and thoughts. They should not use inappropriate words and even if the child picks up a word, they must direct him using an alternative word.

At this age, the child is able to learn how to explain the feelings of others in words. When he sees another child crying, he says, "He is crying because he wants his mother."

One of the simplest methods to teach young children empathy is reading stories. Through a story, pointing out how the characters may have felt would help the child learn how to manage conflicts and difficult situations in real life. Another way is by using role play. Puppets can be used to help the child learn in what way he should talk to others in various emotional situations.

During the fourth and fifth years of age, the child can learn to show empathy for others, understand the challenges they go through in their daily lives, seek excuses for them, therefore, help them. A child can be helped in acquiring this skill by following several simple methods.

First, ensuring that the caregiver possesses this skill and must be able to model empathy.

Second, allowing the child to participate in projects such as taking care of the environment, helping the needy or taking care of pets or plants.

Third, showing the child how to write a greeting card for friends, relatives, and acquaintances on occasions or to show gratitude or even sympathy.

Fourth, encouraging the child to comfort another when someone is hurt would enable him to recognize and understand how others might be feeling. Noticing and telling the child when he responds appropriately would enable him to interpret other’s behavior and emotions.

Finally, taking the child to visit a nursing home or an orphanage will have a great positive impact on his personality and his way of dealing with the needs of others.

Summary

We always knew that empathy is imperative on a personal and professional level. We also knew that it is a critical skill for leaders in every field, however, it is taking on a new level of priority during the pandemic era. Considering the change in people's mental health and demonstrating empathy can have a significant impact on business outcomes especially when it comes to retaining staff.

Fellow childcare providers and all caregivers are invited to consider developing empathy intentionally in young children. The call to develop and demonstrate the skill of understanding the feelings of others is not linked to a specific standard of living. Neither is it a luxury. Rather, it is an invitation to raise a more merciful, kind, and understanding generation. If you help a child acquire this skill, you will have contributed to creating a less cruel world.