Welcome to the 307th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast! In this episode, I’m exploring one of the most challenging aspects of working in HR: finding the balance between empathy and boundaries. Are you an HR Manager or a therapist? Especially when an employee comes to you in tears, sharing their personal struggles.
Listen to the episode
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In today’s show on The Empathy Trap: Are You an HR Manager or a Therapist?
- 01:12 – What empathy really is and how it builds trust and psychological safety
- 02:00 – Understanding HR boundaries and confidentiality
- 03:48 – When HR blurs the line: giving advice, diagnosing, and creating dependencies.
- 07:05 – What can be done to support staff within limits.
- 10:30 – How to move from the rescuer role to supportive professional.
Quotes on The Empathy Trap: Are You an HR Manager or a Therapist?
- Where’s the line between caring, not caring, and overstepping?
- Have you ever felt like a therapist in your HR role?
- Empathy without boundaries can result in compassion fatigue. Boundaries without empathy is just called transactional HR.
- The ideal place is: I care about your wellbeing and my own wellbeing, and my role is to connect you with the right support.
- Coaching skills help us flip from ‘Why didn’t you do this?’ to ‘What would you like to happen next?
Resources for The Empathy Trap: Are You an HR Manager or a Therapist?
- Episode #306: Yoga Mats Won’t Fix Burnout: The Real Root Causes of Employee Exhaustion
- Episode 97: The art of listening to support someone
- HR Magazine article: HR is not your therapist – but it needs one
- Resolving Conflict with the Drama and Empowerment Triangles
- Join my Mailing List and receive a white paper on mental health and inclusion here
- Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
- Leave me a message on my SpeakPipe
Work with me
Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC
One-hour focused Sessions £250 1-2-1
Power Hour Sessions for Organisations
Complete the form to discuss your training needs: https://forms.gle/hgnYtmTu33Zeem489
Check out my coaching FAQs or learn more about how 1:1 coaching can support your wellbeing.
Subscribe to the podcast
If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.
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Remember to tune in next week, where I’ll bring you more insights on mental health and inclusion.
