Empathic communication: what it is and how it can improve your life

A key type of communication to save a good part of the stress we suffer on a daily basis.

Most of the problems in the world and that you may have in relation to your development as a person (or professional) usually have the same origin: a communication problem.

We live with too many difficulties to connect with others, whether it is our partner, children, friends, clients, co-workers? Communication is a key skill to connect with others, but at the same time it is the one we neglect the most. And in this area, highlights the importance of empathic communication. In this article we will see why this is key.

The problems to connect with others

Why is it so difficult to connect with others and why are there always confusions and conflicts in communication? Because every human being interprets what happens to them in a certain way and according to their own filters, belief system and experiences.

All your experiences and the way you manage and understand your emotions (your fears, insecurities, guilt, longings, etc.) have made you see life in a particular way, and that influences your communication. When trying to connect with another person each one of us can give a very different meaning to what we say.So it is very difficult for us to connect.

What do all these problems lead to? On a personal level, it leads us to feel isolated, to live with constant arguments, to living with constant arguments (this is usual if the communication problem is in the couple), to not being able to express ourselves, to have many difficulties to say no and to establish our limits, etc. These problems are growing like a snowball going downhill.

On the professional side, which is no less important, organizational problems, low productivity and conflicts arise, due to non-transparent communicationThese problems are due to a lack of transparent communication that conceals certain conflicts that must be faced and resolved. At the same time, if you want to start a business or work with clients or with a group that you need to influence positively (students, work team, etc.), it is essential that your communication is positive, emotional and connects.

For 10 years I have accompanied as a psychologist and coach to people in deep change processes to overcome their problems and live with another approach to life more positive and that allows them to achieve new goals. What is surprising, and what I did not know when I started doing it, is that communication was so important. In practically 100% of the cases, I discovered that always it is necessary to work with the person's communication to achieve real changes in his or her life (personal, professional, couple, etc.). (personal, professional, couple, etc.). In fact, if you visit Empoderamientohumano.com, the online personal development school where I can accompany you, you will see several processes to develop your empathic communication.

What is empathic communication?

So, the apparent problem is actually the great solution... developing your empathic communication. This is the ability to communicate in such a way that you connect with the other person's way of communicating, which generates empathy, trust, and allows you to express yourself, understand and create more powerful and deeper personal bonds..

It is, on the other hand, a skill has several key characteristics:

1. Active listening

It is about listening to the other person in such a way that you do not you do not judge, interpret or value the other person.You really understand their point of view and respect it as their personal view (which you do not intend to change or fight against). The opposite is to make value judgments, and this is one of our most common communication problems. This, which can be so simple, is what we find most difficult.

2. Adapt to the other person's system

Sometimes, in order to win, you have to give in. In fact, if you give in, you defeat yourself and the ego that does not allow you to connect with the other person. If you adapt your communication system to the other (according to their point of view), you generate much more empathy. This is done through respect, using similar ways of speaking, paraphrasing, and other techniques that you can develop through an action plan and expert professional company.

3. Openness

Put another way... it's about not wanting to be right. Wanting to be right (even when you think you are right) is just ego, pride, and does not allow you to connect.

You may think, "If I give in on everything, they will dominate me." But that's also fear and pride. With empathic communication you are not dominated, you understand, you connect, and you can resolve conflicts and move forward.

Advantages

The advantages of empathic communication are not only about resolving conflicts, but there are many more:

1. it allows you to live the life you want

The way you communicate is a reflection of the way you think and look at life.. If you change the messages you give yourself, you will also change your approach, your actions and the life you want.

2. It will improve your personal relationships

Whether with friends, partners, co-workers, associates, clients or children.

3. You will save yourself a lot of stress

The great majority of the stress we feel in our daily lives comes from not being able to understand or make ourselves understood..

4. It will help you in your personal or professional development, in any field.

If you develop this important skill, you will already have a pillar of personal development by your side.

Developing your empathic communication is not something you can achieve in a couple of days, but in a few months if you have the right company. I recommend you to visit Empoderamientohumano.com to take the first steps (if you want, you can ask me for a private session, tell me your situation and I will help you to take the first step forward).

Bibliographical references:

• Goleman, D. (1996). The roots of empathy. In D. Goleman (Ed.), Inteligencia emocional. Barcelona: Cairos.