{"id":4574,"date":"2020-11-19T18:26:16","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T18:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/?p=4574"},"modified":"2021-09-19T15:17:42","modified_gmt":"2021-09-19T15:17:42","slug":"how-to-express-empathy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/how-to-express-empathy\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Express Empathy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“I’m in pain,” she cried. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“No one’s helping, or even listening to me!” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was assessing a patient with chronic pain, severely debilitated by her condition and struggling to even move. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had come to physiotherapy after being bounced around numerous departments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reading back through her extensive notes, I could see that her lifestyle likely wasn’t helping her condition or perception of pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But rather than diving straight into to issuing advice, I knew I needed to build rapport, largely by empathising with her current situation, before building towards a positive intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding others<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the highest ROI skills to develop in life is empathy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I say this not from a financial, but an emotional wealth perspective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As humans, we’re social creatures who’ve learnt to work together over hundreds of thousands of years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By developing the means to cooperate through language, we formed ever-larger groups, becoming the dominant creature on Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As our societies flourished, we spread across the globe and through specialisation, discovered the advancements which we enjoy today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it was all made possible by honing our communication skills<\/a>, of which a core component is empathy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You see, it’s impossible to operate in large groups or even one-on-one unless we either have a shared belief system or can interact with a deep degree of understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was fortunate in my work as a physiotherapist (before changing career) to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and learn how to best communicate, often in delicate healthcare situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through this experience, I saw first-hand the benefit of being able to put ourselves in the place of another person to share their perspective, both to avoid conflict and build relations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you’re wondering how to express empathy and initiate this process, let’s take a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to express empathy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Listen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It’s incredible how far simply staying silent can get you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have two ears and one mouth for a reason, which is strange considering how most people enjoy talking about themselves excessively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s impossible to truly understand another perspective if you’re dominating a conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By allowing another person the space to open up, you enhance your understanding of their worldview and identify any overlap with your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Remaining mute doesn’t work either, however, and questions must be asked to uncover additional information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Displaying genuine curiosity about another individual’s thoughts, feelings and interests not only improves the conversational exchange<\/a>, but also helps you empathise with their position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s easy to prejudge someone we disagree with before discovering their deeper reasons and motivations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask open ended questions and actively absorb the answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find common ground<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Learning how to express empathy is difficult when you disagree with alternate opinions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our hyper-connected world, politics and social issues easily polarise, for example. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore it’s essential to use your question and answer interactions to uncover new angles and areas of common interest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than approach an subject of potential conflict head on, start by identifying mutual areas of agreement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vocalise shared views and build a solid base before tackling more challenging material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Withhold judgement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Each of us has forged our beliefs and opinions over a substantial time period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having those foundations shaken in a short interaction isn’t pleasant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empathy is predicated on sympathising with another set of thoughts and beliefs, however different from your own they may be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of us may struggle to exhibit empathy when we find another opinion particularly egregious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I won’t lie; such situations are challenging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you can still reframe the situation, empathising with the person and not their beliefs, assuming that everyone is merely a product of their environment, doing their best with what they’ve been given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid confrontation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even if you disagree with another person, confronting them is often the last effective approach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initiating an attack simply encourages an equal and opposite reaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As soon as someone feels criticised, they lash out, jeopardising any potential for constructive dialogue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Training yourself to see the best in another person is primary part of developing empathy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you finally realise that it’s unnecessary to be right all the time or win every argument, it’s a huge psychological relief. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can simply allow others to hold opposing thoughts and enjoy exploring overlapping areas of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be present<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re wondering how to express empathy, understanding the importance of being present is imperative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a world full of distraction, it’s rare that we give one another our undivided attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Checking our phone during conversations is just one depressingly common phenomenon that disrupts many meaningful exchanges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To truly understand another person and their perspective requires your full concentration and awareness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of mindful approach<\/a> to communication determines the quality of your interactions and by proxy, the strength of your relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make friends and build relationships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Empathetic people are in high demand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, who would you rather associate with – a confrontational individual who constantly disregards your thoughts and opinions or someone who genuinely attempts to sympathise with your worldview? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working on our empathy skills not only improves our closest relationships but allows us to effortlessly develop new connections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a macro scale, taking the time to truly understand each other can help bring those at either end of the spectrum closer together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“I’m in pain,” she cried. <\/p>\n

“No one’s helping, or even listening to me!” <\/p>\n

I was assessing a patient with chronic pain, severely debilitated by her condition and struggling to even move…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4576,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Express Empathy | Bloomsoup<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Want to improve your communication skills and develop better relationships? You need to learn how to express empathy. 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