When we metaphorically pull empathy out of our bag of tricks to use when we perceive someone's need for an empathetic ear, we are viewing it as a silo. Seeing empathy in this way (and attempting to exercise genuine empathy by this method) will never allow us to be as effective at truly empathizing as when we engage in a pursuit of living in a state of empathy.
There is a natural way to consistently interact from a position of empathy, benefitting everyone around us at work, home, and in our communities.