Empathy and What It Means

Actively listening without judgment
Offering advice immediately
Avoiding the conversation to give them space

“I’m here for you, and I can imagine how tough this must be.”
“That sounds bad, but you’ll be fine.”
“I have my own problems too.”

Asking open-ended questions to learn more about their experience
Assuming you already know how they feel
Changing the subject to something lighter

Words can uplift or harm, shaping how someone feels
It’s not that important; they’ll understand your intent
To avoid saying anything and stay neutral

Acknowledging and validating the other person’s feelings
Talking about how you dealt with a similar situation
Giving advice without understanding their perspective

Offering a comforting gesture, like a nod or gentle smile
Maintaining a neutral facial expression
Avoiding eye contact to focus on your thoughts

“We all make mistakes; let’s figure out how to fix it.”
“You really messed up, didn’t you?”
“That’s your problem to solve.”

Using inclusive and supportive language in discussions
Avoiding engagement with diverse opinions
Sticking to stereotypes when addressing others

It builds trust and deeper connections with others
It shows you’re willing to tolerate others’ emotions
It makes others rely on you less

It fosters understanding and reduces conflicts
It helps avoid uncomfortable conversations
It’s only important in professional environments