Empathy may begin with silence, but it doesn’t end there. Explore how listening, asking questions, and giving feedback shape our relationships and workplace communication.
It may seem that an empathetic person’s main role is to stay quiet and let the other person speak. But silence alone does not necessarily mean understanding. What matters is what we do with what we hear: whether we ask about its meaning, check our own conclusions, and show in an appropriate way that we are truly present. Empathy therefore sometimes leads to fewer words, and at other times to a more precise question or thoughtful feedback. It is this balance that can transform a conversation from an exchange of opinions into genuine connection.
Interested in this topic? Read more: Empathy as a personal responsibility: The key to personal and professional growth
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