Developing Empathy and Compassion

Empathy helps us understand others; compassion moves us to help. Both skills can be strengthened through simple, consistent practices.

Listen to understand. Give full attention. Ask open questions. Reflect back what you heard before offering opinions or advice.

Try perspective-taking. Imagine the situation from the other person’s point of view. Consider their constraints, hopes, and history. Curiosity reduces judgment.

Validate feelings. You don’t have to agree with the conclusion to acknowledge the feeling. “That sounds frustrating” or “I can see why you’d be upset” lowers defenses.

Practice self-kindness. Self-compassion expands capacity for others. Treat your own mistakes with patience and you’ll be better at offering it outward.

Small acts—listening fully, checking assumptions, and choosing kind words—compound into more caring relationships and communities.