If you were to ask me what is the most important and absolute first thing to do for communication to be productive… it would be to lead with empathy.

Not understanding. 
Not solutions. 
And certainly not suggestions.

Just empathy.

Because empathy helps us feel seen, and when it comes to communication, that is beyond vital.

You can’t work towards a shared understanding if you don’t feel seen.
You’re not open to solutions unless you feel seen.
And you definitely do not want any suggestions until you feel seen.

And it can be harder than you think to put it into practice.

Empathy requires you to slow down and really share the feelings of another. 
Not to imagine how you would feel in the situation. Or even to agree that you would feel the same way.

Empathy is about understating the feelings of how it really is for another. Right, wrong, or indifferent.

Once you have that in communication, all sorts of possibilities start to open up. 

Because when you lead with empathy, you get to go so many more places… together. 

Practice it this week and let me know how it goes. And if you need some support, all you have to do is reach out… that’s what I’m here for.

I’m cheering you on.

-A