The Power of Empathy: Building Stronger Connections in a Complex World

In today’s world, things can get pretty complicated, right? We’re all trying to get along, but sometimes, misunderstandings just happen. That’s where empathy comes in. It’s like a superpower for connecting with people, especially when things get tough. This article is all about how understanding and using empathy can help us build better relationships and sort out problems, whether it’s at home, at work, or even in bigger community issues. Let’s explore how being empathetic makes a real difference.

Key Takeaways

Empathy is key to resolving conflicts because it helps people feel heard and understood, making them more open to finding solutions.
Good communication skills, like really listening and responding thoughtfully, are how we show empathy and help conversations move forward constructively.
Different situations, from family matters to business deals, all benefit from empathy, helping to preserve relationships and find workable outcomes.
Being aware of cultural differences and power dynamics is important for showing empathy in a way that respects everyone involved.
Developing your own empathy skills through practice and self-awareness is a continuous journey that improves your ability to connect with others.

Understanding Empathy in Conflict Resolution

When conflicts arise, it’s easy to get caught up in our own perspective, focusing on what we think is right or fair. But true resolution often requires stepping outside of that bubble and trying to see things from the other side. This is where empathy comes in. It’s not about agreeing with someone, but about understanding their feelings and viewpoint.

The Role of Empathy in Mediation

In mediation, empathy is like the glue that holds the process together. A mediator who can genuinely understand and acknowledge the emotions of the people involved creates a safer space for them to talk. This doesn’t mean the mediator takes sides; rather, they use empathy to build a bridge between the parties. When people feel heard and understood, they are much more likely to open up and work towards a solution. It helps to move away from rigid positions and towards exploring underlying needs.

Active Listening and Empathetic Responses

Active listening is more than just hearing words; it’s about paying attention to the whole message, including the emotions behind it. This means putting away distractions, making eye contact, and really focusing on what the other person is saying. Empathetic responses build on this by showing you’ve understood not just the facts, but also the feelings. Phrases like, "It sounds like you felt really frustrated when that happened," or "I can see how upsetting that situation was for you," can make a big difference. They validate the speaker’s experience without necessarily agreeing with their interpretation of events.

Validating Emotions for Constructive Dialogue

Validating emotions is a key part of empathetic communication. It means acknowledging that someone’s feelings are real and understandable, given their perspective. For example, if someone is angry about a broken agreement, a mediator might say, "It’s understandable that you’re angry given the circumstances you’ve described." This doesn’t mean the mediator agrees that the agreement was broken, but they recognize the feeling of anger as a valid response to the situation as the person sees it. This simple act of validation can significantly de-escalate tension and open the door for more productive conversation. It helps people feel respected, which is a big step toward finding common ground.

Cultivating Empathy Through Communication Skills

Sometimes, just talking things out feels like a minefield, right? You want to connect, but the words just don’t come out right, or worse, they come out wrong. That’s where really focusing on how we communicate comes in. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it, and more importantly, how you listen. Getting better at communicating is key to building those stronger connections we all need.

Reflective Listening Techniques

This is more than just hearing someone; it’s about showing them you’ve actually got what they’re saying. Think of it like a mirror for their words and feelings. You’re not just nodding along; you’re actively trying to understand their point of view. It’s about paraphrasing what they’ve said, not to repeat it word-for-word, but to confirm you’ve understood the core message. You might say something like, "So, if I’m hearing you correctly, you’re feeling frustrated because the deadline was moved up without any notice?" This shows you’re paying attention and care about their perspective. It’s a simple technique, but it can make a huge difference in how heard someone feels.

Here are a few ways to practice reflective listening:

Paraphrase the content: "It sounds like you’re concerned about the budget implications of this new proposal."
Reflect the feeling: "You seem really disappointed that your idea wasn’t considered."
Summarize key points: "So, to recap, we’ve discussed the timeline issues and the resource allocation challenges. Is that right?"

Reflective listening isn’t about agreeing with the speaker; it’s about demonstrating that you’ve made an effort to understand their message and their feelings. It creates a space for them to feel validated and encourages them to share more openly.

De-escalation Strategies for Emotional Landscapes

When emotions run high, conversations can quickly go off the rails. De-escalation is all about bringing the temperature down, creating a calmer environment where people can actually talk and listen. It’s like being a calm presence in a storm. This involves staying composed yourself, even when the other person is upset. Using a soft tone of voice, avoiding accusatory language, and acknowledging the other person’s feelings without necessarily agreeing with their position are all part of this. For instance, instead of saying, "You’re overreacting," you could try, "I can see this is really upsetting for you."

Some helpful de-escalation tactics include:

Maintain a calm demeanor: Your own composure can be contagious.
Use neutral language: Avoid loaded words or blame.
Validate emotions: "It’s understandable that you feel that way."
Take breaks if needed: Sometimes stepping away for a few minutes can reset the mood.

Empowering Parties Through Understanding

When people feel truly understood, they tend to feel more in control and capable of finding solutions. This is where empathy really shines. It’s about recognizing that each person has their own perspective, their own needs, and their own set of challenges. By showing that you grasp their situation, you’re not just listening; you’re validating their experience. This validation can be incredibly disarming and can shift a confrontational dynamic into a more collaborative one. It helps people move from a defensive stance to one where they are more open to exploring options and working towards a resolution. The goal is to make sure everyone involved feels heard and respected, which naturally leads to more productive outcomes.

Empathy Across Diverse Mediation Contexts

Mediation isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. The way people approach conflict and how they communicate about it can change a lot depending on whether they’re talking about family issues, workplace problems, or business deals. Empathy needs to be flexible to work well in these different settings.

Family Mediation and Emotional Well-being

When families are going through tough times, like divorce or disagreements over kids, emotions are usually running high. Think about parents trying to figure out custody or how to divide assets. It’s not just about the money or the schedule; it’s about their history together and their hopes for the future, especially for their children. An empathetic mediator understands that these aren’t just legal issues, but deeply personal ones. They help create a space where people can talk about their fears and hopes without judgment. The goal is to help families find solutions that support everyone’s emotional health, particularly the children’s.

Focus on Children: Ensuring the well-being and voice of children is central.
Relationship Preservation: Aiming to maintain functional relationships for co-parenting or family ties.
Emotional Validation: Acknowledging the pain, anger, or sadness involved.

In family mediation, the mediator’s ability to connect with the emotional undercurrents is as important as understanding legal frameworks. It’s about helping people see past their immediate hurt to find a path forward that respects everyone involved.

Workplace Mediation and Interpersonal Dynamics

Workplaces can be tricky. Conflicts can pop up between colleagues, or between an employee and management. These disputes can really mess with productivity and team morale. Empathy here means understanding the professional pressures and the need for people to get along to do their jobs. A mediator might help two coworkers who are constantly clashing to understand each other’s work styles or communication habits. It’s about getting back to a productive working relationship, not necessarily becoming best friends.

Confidentiality: Protecting reputations and encouraging open discussion.
Future Focus: Solutions are geared towards enabling continued collaboration.
Organizational Culture: Aiming to improve overall workplace harmony.

Commercial Mediation and Relationship Preservation

In the business world, disputes often involve contracts, partnerships, or intellectual property. While emotions can certainly be present, the focus is often more on the business implications and the bottom line. However, preserving the business relationship can be just as important as the specific issue at hand. Imagine two business partners who have a disagreement about the direction of their company. An empathetic approach here involves understanding each partner’s vision and concerns for the business’s future. The mediator helps them see how their differing views might be reconciled to keep the business running smoothly and profitably.

Efficiency: Resolving issues quickly to minimize business disruption.
Preserving Value: Maintaining important business relationships and reputations.
Tailored Solutions: Crafting agreements that fit specific commercial needs.

Navigating Cultural Nuances with Empathy

When we’re trying to sort out a disagreement, it’s easy to forget that everyone comes from a different background. This is especially true when people from different cultures are involved. What seems like a normal way to talk or act in one culture might be seen very differently in another. Being empathetic here means really trying to see things from their point of view, not just our own.

Cultural Competence in Empathetic Practice

This is about more than just knowing a few facts about other cultures. It’s about being aware that cultural differences can affect how people communicate, what they consider important, and how they approach problems. For example, some cultures value directness, while others prefer indirect communication to avoid causing offense. A mediator needs to pick up on these cues. It’s about being flexible and adapting your approach so everyone feels respected and understood. Paying attention to non-verbal cues, like body language and tone of voice, is also a big part of this.

Addressing Power Imbalances with Sensitivity

Sometimes, one person in a dispute might have more influence, knowledge, or resources than the other. This is a power imbalance, and it can make it hard for the less powerful person to speak up or feel heard. When cultural differences are also at play, these imbalances can become even more complicated. For instance, someone from a culture that emphasizes deference to authority might struggle to challenge someone perceived as being in a higher position. An empathetic mediator works to level the playing field by creating a safe space for everyone to share their concerns equally. This might involve asking clarifying questions to the more dominant party or actively inviting input from the quieter one.

Ethical Considerations in Empathetic Mediation

When we talk about empathy in mediation, especially across cultures, ethics are super important. We have to be careful not to let our own cultural biases creep in and influence the process. Mediators need to be honest about their own limitations and seek training if they’re dealing with cultural issues they don’t fully understand. It’s also about making sure that the process respects everyone’s right to make their own decisions – that’s called self-determination. We can’t push people towards a solution just because it seems like the ‘right’ one from our own cultural viewpoint. The goal is always to help the parties find their own way forward, with respect for their unique backgrounds and values.

The Psychology of Empathy in Dispute Resolution

Understanding what goes on in people’s heads is pretty key when trying to sort out a disagreement. It’s not just about what people say, but why they’re saying it and how they’re feeling. This is where the psychology of empathy really comes into play in mediation.

Understanding Cognitive Dissonance

Sometimes, people get stuck in their ways of thinking. They might have a strong belief about a situation, but then they’re faced with information or a perspective that doesn’t quite fit. This mental clash is called cognitive dissonance, and it can make people defensive or resistant to new ideas. In mediation, recognizing this can help a mediator gently guide someone to consider other viewpoints without making them feel attacked. It’s like noticing someone is holding onto two opposing ideas and helping them find a way to make those ideas work together, or at least understand why they don’t.

When parties experience cognitive dissonance, they might dig their heels in, becoming more rigid in their stance. This discomfort arises from holding conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes, particularly when their actions don’t align with their self-image. A mediator’s role is to create a safe space where these internal conflicts can be explored without judgment, allowing for a more open consideration of alternative perspectives and potential resolutions.

Facilitating Face-Saving Opportunities

Nobody likes to feel embarrassed or like they’ve lost face. In conflict, people often worry about how they’ll look to others, or even to themselves, if they back down or admit they were wrong. Mediators are skilled at creating situations where parties can adjust their positions or agree to a solution without feeling humiliated. This might involve reframing an issue so that a compromise doesn’t look like a defeat, or finding wording in an agreement that allows everyone to feel they’ve maintained their dignity.

Here are some ways mediators help parties save face:

Reframing concessions: Presenting a compromise not as giving something up, but as a strategic move towards resolution.
Focusing on future benefits: Shifting the conversation from past grievances to the positive outcomes of an agreement.
Using neutral language: Avoiding terms that assign blame or highlight perceived weaknesses.
Allowing for gradual shifts: Giving parties time and space to adjust their positions without feeling rushed.

Reality Testing with Empathetic Framing

This is about helping people look at their situation realistically, but doing it with care. Instead of just saying, "That’s not going to work," a mediator might ask questions that encourage the party to think through the practicalities and consequences of their desired outcome. For example, they might ask, "What might happen if you pursued this option in court?" or "How do you see this particular solution working in practice on a day-to-day basis?" The key is to do this in a way that feels supportive, not confrontational. It’s about helping someone see the full picture, including potential challenges, so they can make informed decisions, rather than just telling them they’re wrong.

Empathy in Dialogue and Mediator Phrasing

When we talk about mediation, the actual words used by the mediator really matter. It’s not just about what’s said, but how it’s said. The goal is to make sure everyone feels heard and understood, even when they disagree. This is where empathy in dialogue comes into play, shaping the entire conversation.

Crafting Empathetic Opening Questions

Starting a mediation session can feel a bit tense. The mediator’s first questions set the tone. Instead of jumping straight into the problem, empathetic opening questions aim to create a safe space. They invite people to share what’s on their mind without feeling judged. Think about questions that show you’re ready to listen and understand their situation.

Here are a few examples:

"What brings you here today, and what are you hoping to get out of our conversation?"
"Can you tell me a bit about what’s been happening from your perspective?"
"What would a good outcome from this session look like for you?"

These questions are open-ended and focus on the individual’s experience and goals. They signal that the mediator is there to help them find their own solutions, not to tell them what to do.

Using Deepening Questions with Empathy

Once the initial concerns are out in the open, the mediator needs to dig a little deeper. This is where empathy helps uncover the real issues beneath the surface. Deepening questions encourage parties to explore their feelings and underlying needs. They help move beyond just stating positions to understanding the ‘why’ behind them.

Consider these types of questions:

"When you say [X], what does that mean to you?" This helps clarify meaning and personal impact.
"How did that situation make you feel?" Directly addressing emotions can be very powerful.
"What’s most important to you about this particular issue?" This gets to the core interests.
"Can you tell me more about the impact this has had on you?" This explores the consequences and personal effects.

These questions require the mediator to listen carefully and respond thoughtfully, often paraphrasing or reflecting back what they hear to ensure they’ve understood correctly. It’s about showing genuine curiosity and concern.

Empathetic Statements for Constructive Dialogue

Beyond questions, the mediator’s statements are key. Empathetic statements acknowledge and validate the emotions and experiences of the parties. They don’t necessarily mean agreeing with what someone said, but rather showing that their feelings are recognized and understandable. This can significantly de-escalate tension and build trust.

Here are some examples of empathetic statements:

"I hear how frustrating that situation has been for you."
"It sounds like you felt unheard in that conversation."
"I can see why that would be a difficult position to be in."
"Thank you for sharing that perspective; it helps me understand your concerns better."

These kinds of phrases help bridge understanding between parties. They create an atmosphere where people feel safe to express themselves, which is the foundation for finding common ground and moving towards a resolution. The careful use of language transforms a potentially adversarial process into a collaborative problem-solving effort.

Building Trust Through Empathetic Engagement

The Foundation of Trust in Mediation

Trust is like the quiet hum beneath the surface of any successful mediation. Without it, parties are less likely to open up, share their real concerns, or even believe the mediator is truly on their side. Empathy plays a huge role here. When a mediator shows they understand not just the facts but also the feelings involved, it builds a bridge. It’s about making people feel seen and heard, which is a big step toward feeling safe enough to negotiate.

Mediator Neutrality and Empathetic Connection

It might seem tricky, but a mediator can be both neutral and empathetic. Neutrality means not taking sides or having a favorite outcome. Empathy means understanding what each person is going through. A mediator can say, "I hear how frustrating this situation has been for you, and I also understand that the other party feels pressured by these deadlines." This shows they get both sides without favoring one. It’s a delicate balance, but when done right, it makes parties feel respected and more willing to engage.

Fostering Self-Determination with Empathy

Ultimately, mediation is about the parties making their own decisions. Empathy helps here by making sure everyone feels capable of doing that. When a mediator validates someone’s feelings and concerns, it can boost their confidence. This makes them more likely to actively participate and take ownership of the solutions they create. It’s about supporting their ability to decide their own future, rather than feeling pushed into something.

Here’s a quick look at how empathy supports self-determination:

Validating Feelings: Acknowledging emotions like anger or disappointment helps parties feel understood, making them more receptive to exploring options.
Clarifying Interests: Empathetically asking questions like, "What’s most important to you about this outcome?" helps parties identify their core needs.
Encouraging Participation: When parties feel heard and respected, they are more likely to actively contribute to finding solutions.
Respecting Autonomy: The mediator’s empathetic approach reinforces that the final decision rests with the parties themselves.

Empathy in Specialized Dispute Resolution

Mediation isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Different situations call for different approaches, and empathy plays a key role in making these specialized forms of dispute resolution work. It’s about understanding the unique pressures and dynamics at play in each specific area.

Restorative Justice and Empathetic Repair

Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm and rebuilding relationships, rather than just punishing wrongdoing. Empathy is central here. It helps victims feel heard and understood, and it encourages offenders to genuinely grasp the impact of their actions. The goal is to create a space where both parties can express their feelings and work towards healing.

Understanding the impact: Allowing victims to share their experiences and feelings.
Taking responsibility: Encouraging offenders to acknowledge the harm they’ve caused.
Finding solutions: Collaboratively deciding how to make amends and prevent future harm.

This process requires a high degree of emotional intelligence from the facilitator, who must guide a potentially intense conversation with sensitivity and fairness.

Online Dispute Resolution and Virtual Empathy

With so much of our lives moving online, dispute resolution has followed. Mediating through screens presents unique challenges for empathy. Non-verbal cues are harder to read, and it’s easier for misunderstandings to arise. Mediators need to be extra deliberate in using language that conveys understanding and care, and parties need to make an effort to be clear and patient.

Clear communication: Using precise language and confirming understanding.
Active engagement: Encouraging participants to stay present and focused.
Technical considerations: Ensuring a stable connection and a private setting for all.

Environmental Mediation and Stakeholder Empathy

Environmental disputes often involve many different groups with strong feelings and competing interests – think local communities, businesses, and government agencies. Empathy here means recognizing the diverse values and concerns each stakeholder holds, whether it’s about economic impact, public health, or conservation. Successfully mediating these complex issues often hinges on the mediator’s ability to bridge these different perspectives with genuine understanding.

Identifying all stakeholders: Making sure every relevant voice is heard.
Acknowledging diverse values: Respecting different priorities and worldviews.
Focusing on shared interests: Finding common ground for collaborative solutions.

The Impact of Empathy on Agreement Outcomes

When people feel truly heard and understood, they’re more likely to find common ground. Empathy in mediation isn’t just about being nice; it’s a practical tool that directly influences whether parties can reach a workable agreement. When emotions are acknowledged and validated, the focus can shift from entrenched positions to underlying needs and interests. This makes finding solutions that everyone can live with much more achievable.

Achieving Mutually Acceptable Solutions

Empathy helps break down the barriers that often keep people stuck in conflict. By understanding the emotional weight behind a party’s stance, a mediator can help reframe the issue in a way that opens up new possibilities. This isn’t about agreeing with the other side, but about recognizing the validity of their feelings and perspective. When parties feel their emotions are seen, they become more open to considering the other side’s viewpoint and exploring creative options that might not have seemed possible before.

Reduced Defensiveness: When parties feel understood, they tend to become less defensive and more receptive to new ideas.
Increased Collaboration: Acknowledging emotions can transform an adversarial atmosphere into a more cooperative one.
Focus on Needs: Empathy helps move the conversation from rigid demands to the actual needs and concerns driving those demands.
Creative Problem-Solving: Parties are more likely to brainstorm innovative solutions when they feel safe and respected.

When parties feel their emotional reality is acknowledged, they are more likely to engage constructively in finding solutions that address their core concerns, leading to agreements that are not only practical but also feel fair.

Preserving Relationships Post-Mediation

Agreements reached through empathetic mediation tend to be more durable because they are built on a foundation of mutual respect. Even if the parties don’t become friends, they are more likely to maintain a civil or even cooperative relationship afterward. This is especially important in contexts like family or workplace disputes where ongoing interaction is necessary. The process itself, by prioritizing understanding, can help repair relational damage, making future interactions smoother.

Improved Future Interactions: Parties are better equipped to interact respectfully after a mediated process that valued their feelings.
Reduced Recidivism: Agreements born from understanding are less likely to be revisited or broken.
Stronger Co-Parenting/Working Relationships: In family and workplace settings, empathy can lay the groundwork for more functional ongoing relationships.

The Long-Term Benefits of Empathetic Resolution

Ultimately, the impact of empathy extends beyond the immediate agreement. When disputes are resolved with a genuine effort to understand all perspectives, it contributes to a more positive and stable environment. This can mean fewer repeat disputes, a greater sense of closure for those involved, and a stronger community or organizational fabric. The investment in empathetic communication during mediation pays dividends in the form of lasting peace and improved relationships. It demonstrates that conflict can be a catalyst for growth and deeper connection, rather than just a source of division.

Developing Empathetic Skills for Professionals

Developing empathy isn’t just about being a nice person; for professionals in dispute resolution, it’s a core skill. It’s about truly getting where someone else is coming from, even when you don’t agree with them. This takes practice, and like any skill, it can be learned and improved.

Training for Enhanced Empathy

Formal training can really help. Think about workshops that focus on active listening, understanding non-verbal cues, and recognizing emotional triggers. These aren’t just theoretical exercises; they often involve role-playing scenarios that mimic real-life mediations. You learn to identify different communication styles and how to respond effectively to strong emotions without getting caught up in them yourself. It’s about building a toolkit of responses that show you’re listening and that you acknowledge the other person’s feelings.

Active Listening Practice: Sessions dedicated to paraphrasing, summarizing, and asking clarifying questions to ensure full comprehension.
Emotional Intelligence Modules: Training focused on recognizing, understanding, and managing one’s own emotions and those of others.
Scenario-Based Role-Playing: Simulating conflict situations to practice empathetic responses in a controlled environment.

Continuous Learning in Empathetic Practice

Mediation is always changing, and so are the people involved. What worked yesterday might not work today. That’s why ongoing learning is so important. This could mean attending advanced workshops, reading up on new research in psychology and communication, or even getting feedback from colleagues. It’s about staying curious and open to new ways of understanding people. Sometimes, just reflecting on a difficult mediation session afterward can teach you a lot about how you handled things and what you could do differently next time.

Continuous learning means actively seeking out new perspectives and refining your approach based on experience and evolving best practices. It’s a commitment to growth, not just maintaining current abilities.

The Role of Self-Awareness in Empathy

This might be the most important part. You can’t really understand someone else’s feelings if you don’t have a good handle on your own. Self-awareness means knowing your own biases, your own emotional buttons, and how your own experiences might color your perception. When you’re aware of yourself, you’re less likely to project your own feelings onto the parties or react defensively. It allows you to remain more neutral and genuinely present for the people you’re helping. It’s a constant process of checking in with yourself, asking why you’re feeling a certain way, and making sure it doesn’t get in the way of your work.

Skill Area	Development Focus
Self-Reflection	Identifying personal biases and emotional triggers
Mindfulness	Staying present and aware during interactions
Feedback Seeking	Actively soliciting constructive criticism
Emotional Literacy	Understanding and naming one’s own emotions

Moving Forward with Empathy

So, we’ve talked a lot about what empathy is and why it matters. It’s not just some soft skill; it’s really the glue that holds our relationships together, whether that’s at home, at work, or out in the community. When we make an effort to truly see things from another person’s point of view, even when it’s tough, we build trust and understanding. This makes dealing with disagreements a lot easier and helps us find solutions that work for everyone. In a world that often feels divided and complicated, choosing to be empathetic is a powerful step we can all take. It’s a practice, not perfection, and every little bit helps us connect better and build a more considerate world, one conversation at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is empathy and why is it important in solving problems?

Empathy is like being able to step into someone else’s shoes and understand how they feel. It’s super important because when we understand each other’s feelings, it’s much easier to solve problems together without getting into big fights. Think of it as a key to unlocking better communication.

How does listening help someone feel understood?

When you really listen to someone, not just their words but also their feelings, it shows you care. You might nod, make eye contact, or say things like, ‘It sounds like you’re feeling frustrated.’ This makes the other person feel heard and respected, which is a big step toward solving whatever is wrong.

Can empathy really help when people are arguing?

Absolutely! When people are arguing, they often feel misunderstood or ignored. Empathy helps the person helping them solve the problem (like a mediator) to see things from everyone’s point of view. This can calm things down and help people find solutions that work for everyone, even if they don’t agree on everything.

Does empathy work the same way in all kinds of disagreements?

Mostly, yes! Whether it’s a family disagreement about chores, a fight between friends, or a problem at work, understanding feelings is key. However, how you show empathy might change a little depending on who is involved and what the problem is. For example, you might talk differently to a coworker than you would to a family member.

How can I get better at being empathetic?

You can practice! Try to really listen when people talk, ask questions to understand better, and pay attention to how people seem to be feeling. Reading stories or watching movies and thinking about the characters’ feelings can also help. It takes practice, but it’s a skill you can definitely build.

What’s the difference between empathy and sympathy?

Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone, like saying ‘That’s too bad.’ Empathy is feeling *with* someone, trying to understand their feelings from their perspective. It’s like saying, ‘I can see why you’d feel that way.’ Empathy goes a bit deeper.

Does being empathetic mean I have to agree with the other person?

Not at all! Empathy means you understand their feelings and perspective, but it doesn’t mean you think they are right or that you agree with their actions. You can understand why someone is angry without agreeing that their anger is justified.

How does empathy help build trust?

When people feel that you genuinely understand their feelings and perspective, they are more likely to trust you. Trust is like the foundation for solving problems. If people trust each other and the person helping them, they are more open to finding solutions and making agreements that stick.