I would like today’s article to reach as many people as possible because I think it addresses a fundamental aspect from the point of view of any interpersonal relationship. Specifically, it is about how we respond to people who speak to us, what kind of responses we usually give them. For some time now I have realized the importance of responding to people in a empathic. A way of answering that it does nothing more than bring you closer to the other, that it does nothing more than establish binding ties with the people you love and care about. I assure you that putting the empathic response into practice is easier than you think.
What do I understand by Empathic Response and Empathic Listening?
The empathic listening It is not an easy term to define, but it would be the listen not to words, but to the heart. The empathic response has a much more active part than empathic listening. The empathic response is intended to respond with words more than with the heart. The empathic response is listening that generates a dialogue with the person next to you and who has something important to tell you.
Many times the mistake is made of believing that an affirmation must be answered with another affirmation. Well, the empathic response is focused more on open questions than closed sentences. This aspect seems fundamental to me because it implies a very significant change in the way people relate to each other.
The empathic response is eminently active, because what it intends is not to be nice to the other, but to be empathic. This difference is fundamental because when you want to be nice you simply agree with the other and end the communication. On the other hand, if you are empathic, your purpose is not to agree with the other, nor to comfort him. What does the empathic person is to open a dialog and create options. if the empathic listening is based more on feelings, the empathic response focuses on generating options through open questions.
So that you understand it better, we have prepared a table with everyday examples, but first we will explain it.
Judgment: It consists of the statement that a person makes to you. This type of sentence can be a concern, a problem, something that has happened to you, an important event, etc.
false answer: The false answer is the one to avoid if you want to be an empath. If you look closely, you can check the following features:
- At all times you talk about yourself and what happens to you.
- You use the first person (ME).
- You do not generate dialogue and, therefore, you do not generate options.
- You don’t ask, but you answer with your own sentences. In fact, you could have said what you have said without the other person having spoken to you.
- You show no interest in what the other person tells you.
- You want to be nice, but by being nice you are not at all interested in the other person, or at least you don’t show it.
empathic response: The empathic response is the response that generates options because it is based on the generation of open questions.
- Create options.
- Not looking for sympathy.
- It does not focus on the problem, but on possible solutions. Furthermore, these solutions are shared.
- Shows interest in what interests the other person (example of historical books).
- It offers no comfort. Offers options and in some cases actively helps (housework).
As you can see in this box, false responses are common in many settings. It is enough that you do the test at home or at work and you will realize that unfortunately it is a type of response that abounds and a lot.
The empathic response as a conclusion.
You will have realized that being a empathic person does not require any kind of effort. What empathy requires is time, interest and dedication to the other. One of the qualities that best defines us is the ability we have to listen to others. Because by listening we become participants in the concerns, concerns and desires of others. So I hope this entry has made you reflect on how you can empathize with people and from now on you practice with your loved ones, with those who are by your side every day and who are an essential part of your life.
When you practice empathy, don’t forget to give each of those people you love the best of your smiles.
-Santiago Moll-
You can see too.