Empathy Fatigue with Insight Academy. "Steven needs to be “bottled” in a good way!"

Greetings one and all,

I recently completed a day’s training with an array of folks from across Stoke on Trent. This time it was Empathy Fatigue – Embracing Rational Compassion. Again, a massive thank you to Expert Citizens Insight Academy for commission this very well attended course, especially as it’s August and I tend not to train folks in the summer holidays. A time when people really need to rest, relax and recharge. Often times we work ourselves to the bone, forgetting that when we lose who we are, we stop being who you are. Left unchecked empathy fatigue and burnout can contribute to poor working practices and a feeling of, ‘no one appreciates what I do.’ Plus, staff absenteeism and staff looking elsewhere for employment.

I have been delivering this course since 2018, and each year I update the training films, the activities and interviews. In some organisations things have got much better and in others it is more or less the same old – same old. And they wonder why they lose their stellar staff…? We need to look after and support our staff, especially in relation to trauma and self-care.

Here are the aim and objectives:

Aim: By the completion of the course all learners will have explored how to work compassionately with both colleagues and customers.

Objectives: By the end of the session, you will have:

1. Described what is meant by empathy fatigue and burnout.

2. Explored the different reactions of people living with empathy fatigue and / or burnout.

3. Explained the need to speak and listen as human beings and to communicate using plain English.

4. Determined how to continue to work within a stressful work environment.

5. Described what is meant by empathy and rational compassion.

6. Described how to prioritise and disregard things outside the circles of influence or concern.

7. Explained the five types of procrastination.

8. Explored how to stop defensiveness and build purpose building behaviours.

9. Recognised the need for self-regulation and being open and honest about stresses.

The feedback was 100% positive with some very encouraging statements from the assembled learners.

Would you recommend this training to others and why?

• YES, Enjoyable and informative, met some great people.

• Yes, very engaging & lots of different tasks / type to keep it fresh & interesting.

• Deffo, especially in the sector we work in as it gives coping strategies in a work place.

• Yes def, to my staff and volunteers, team & other agencies.

• Yes – Interesting, informative, thought provoking, excellent session + trainer Thank You!

• 100% yes, fantastic session so insightful, I have learnt so much!

• Yes, Useful information and analysis extremely well presented.

• Absolutely. I thoroughly enjoyed the training and found it fun and informative. I feel my colleagues would love it as much as I did.

• Absolutely, excellent and engaging session.

• Yes, I would, Steven is knowledgeable and creative in his communication style, the lunch was on point.

• 100% it is important that everyone has this knowledge when supporting others. Also helps to recognize characteristics in self, colleagues and clients.

• Everyone not just for work either.

• Absolutely!

• Yes – this training will be good for colleagues to have a better understanding of “amber” signs to avoid the red.

• Definitely. Makes you look at yourself in a different way and learn why you do things as you do.

• Yes – Extremely knowledgeable.

• I woke up dreading a day of training but spent the day absolutely loving it. You are the best trainer I have had and found the whole day fantastic. Thank you! 😊

• Steven and his training is fabulous. The relevant content and real-life case studies enable delegates to have context. Engaging, interactive – so much to learn.

• Fabulous to see Steven again and work with others on table, in room, opportunity to network. Steven really involves participants, engaging them, keeping them focused.

• One of the best days training I have ever experienced. Steven needs to be “bottled” in a good way!

How will the training you experienced shape your practice in the future?

• I will not be so hard on myself.

• I can put this into both my personal and professional life.

• More or less as above, be more positive, look at meditation.

• I will be able to recognize my own triggers and how to prepare myself if I fail to.

• More awareness of self and increased ability to look after myself.

• This will help manage my self-reflection to minimize empathy fatigue and burnout.

• Will structure my work life more sensibly, and de-pressure / stress it.

• I will use the self-reflection and be less critical about myself. I also found the awareness of procrastination very useful and I will follow the advice.

• Consider how I and others might be impacted by some of the issues we discussed.

• The bit about procrastination was particularly helpful. I probably need to read up Steve Covey for more.

• Bring into daily practice working with clients and colleagues.

• Reinforcing how to be more compassionate to others regardless of their situation / circumstances.

• Look after my own wellbeing more than I did or thought I did.

• Being more aware of impact on others – particularly interrupting / body language.

• Work planning will be better. Don’t leave things to last minute.

• Recognise if / when I experience empathy fatigue and burn out and a need to rest.