I literally trained my friends, to listen for
whether I ask for Boy Support or Girl Support. If I forget to ask, they are to ask ME, do I need boy or girl support right now?
We will often interrupt the other if we've
inadvertently started down the "wrong" road. It's easy and kinder to say, "a bit more Boy Support please", instead of explaining that you'll feel better with a solution in hand!
Once you get this understanding in place, you’ll find it FAR easier to prevent empathy fails (hmm, thanks for that plan…I guess I could just use some girl support right now…).
It’s also easier to set things up so people feel empowered by giving you just what you need.
This goes about triple for our men. They REALLY REALLY want to help us. They have had their heads (and hearts!) bashed by women when they made a mistake.
You will get MORE empathy if you just make it easy and clear for those around you to confidently give you exactly what you need.
If you need more of one kind than the other, say so!
Empathy is about coming from the other person’s perspective, so set the stage for the direction you WANT your help to come from!
This is easy to do and easy not to do. And given my gender labeling, no one forgets which is which. Try it!