1 Define your role and scope

One of the first steps to balance empathy with objectivity is to define your role and scope as a case manager. What are your responsibilities, goals, and limitations? What are the expectations and needs of your clients, colleagues, and stakeholders? How can you communicate them clearly and respectfully? By defining your role and scope, you can avoid role confusion, conflict of interest, and unrealistic expectations. You can also establish clear and consistent boundaries that protect your emotional well-being and prevent burnout.

3 Use evidence-based practices and tools

A third skill to balance empathy with objectivity is to use evidence-based practices and tools in your case management process. Evidence-based practices are methods and interventions that have been proven to be effective and reliable by research and evaluation. Evidence-based tools are instruments and measures that help you assess, plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate your case management outcomes. By using evidence-based practices and tools, you can ensure that your case management is based on facts and data, not assumptions or preferences. You can also improve your accountability, transparency, and quality of service.

5 Reflect and learn

A fifth skill to balance empathy with objectivity is to reflect and learn from your case management experiences. Reflection is the process of thinking critically and creatively about your actions, thoughts, feelings, and outcomes. Learning is the process of acquiring new knowledge, skills, and attitudes that improve your case management practice. By reflecting and learning, you can develop your empathy and objectivity skills, recognize your biases and blind spots, and adapt to changing situations and needs.