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JIMINY SELF-HELP HANDBOOK 5

1. It begins with self-awareness. Health, and the quality of relationships all hinge on the depth and
accuracy of self-awareness. And self-awareness is essential to self-trust, which is essential to trust
in others.
2. Self-awareness is almost useless, however, without self-management. For example, a lot of
alcoholics know that they have a drinking problem, but don't have the self-management to control
their drinking patterns.
3. Next comes social awareness, which absolutely requires self-awareness and self-management.
Our view of others - our social awareness - is actually seen through the filter of our self-awareness
and our ability to manage ourselves.
4. And finally, our relationship management skills, or our ability to create and maintain lasting,
fulfilling relationships, totally depends on our self-awareness, self-management and social
awareness.

2.1. Social Awareness
Social Awareness is the ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others. It should be built
starting in the family environment and evolve through the years as we enter education where we meet
others from diverse backgrounds and cultures and need to understand social and ethical norms for
behaviour. Having social awareness is a crucial component of appropriate classroom behaviour, which
contributes to an environment conducive to learning. Social awareness is crucial then in adult life after
education. Regarding the workplace, it has been established as an important factor in workforce
success. One recent employer survey conducted by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills
demonstrates that four of the five most important skills for high school graduates entering the work
force are linked to social awareness: professionalism, collaboration, communication, and social
responsibility. In general, in any kind of situation, whether professional or personal, success and well-
being largely depend upon how we manage and communicate with people. And this is centered around
the skills and competences that build a robust social awareness.

What is Empathy

Understanding others (their emotions, their perspective). Learning to ‘read’ them by actively listening
to what others say (both their words and non-verbal signals). Showing understanding and appreciation
to others' views or issues. Focusing on attaining the goal. Understanding where emotional boundaries
start and end.

Empathy is not only the core competence in the social awareness domain but also the core in the
relationship management domain of Emotional Intelligence, the basis for more complex relationship
management skills, including influencing other people or having a positive impact, mentoring other
people, managing conflict, inspiring them as a leader, and teamwork.

In the workplace it is easy to point out cases where the Empathy Competency is lacking. The “classic”
example is the brilliant systems analyst of a tech company that can solve the most difficult of the
problems but it is impossible to communicate with humans without insulting them. So, it is easily
understandable that empathy is important to work effectively with other people, especially in sales
and client management, on teams, and in leadership.

Empathic leaders and executives get along well with people from very different backgrounds and
cultures and can express their ideas in ways the other person will understand. As an example, they do