As a leader or as a teammate, sometimes we are in the situation of needing to support emotionally a teammate.
The teammate is visibly discourage for something and it’s easy to jump to problem solving mode and trying to fix it.
While sometimes a technical problem requires a technical solution, not all situations are solved by proposing the right course of action. Sometimes people just wants to be understood.
The best way to be empathic is to connect. When someone is in the dark, you just don’t turn on the lights. You should go in the dark and show that person that you are standing with them.
Emotions are not solved by recommending a course of action, emotions are solved by establishing a connection with the person that is discuratge.
