When a client shares personal struggles, genuine empathy strengthens your professional bond. Listen actively without interrupting to show you value their experiences. Use reflective language to indicate you understand, and offer support by asking how you can assist while respecting their boundaries and needs.

Be authentic. Actively listen and offer genuine support. When a client shares personal struggles, it’s a sign of trust and vulnerability, and acknowledging that can strengthen the relationship. It’s important to show you care, while also maintaining professionalism, which fosters a positive and supportive connection.

To listen actively in a meeting with a client sharing personal struggles, maintain eye contact and nod to show you're fully engaged without interrupting. Use empathetic body language, such as leaning slightly forward, and give them space to express themselves. After they've finished speaking, paraphrase their key points to demonstrate understanding and validation, and ask open-ended questions to encourage further sharing. Avoid offering solutions immediately; instead, focus on acknowledging their feelings and providing a supportive, non-judgmental environment.

Building personal connections is key to truly understanding people. This understanding helps you empathize with their experiences and see beyond surface-level needs. In a professional setting, this allows you to grasp the underlying challenges, goals, and even personal struggles that may be impacting your clients. This holistic understanding leads to a more meaningful working relationship. You can tailor solutions to their unique circumstances, offer support where needed, and build trust over time. When clients share vulnerabilities, it signifies high confidence in you. They see you as a trusted confidant who genuinely cares. This trust can lead to a lasting partnership built on mutual respect.

When a client shares personal struggles, it’s not about rushing to fix things. It’s about recognizing the courage it took for them to open up. In those moments, I ask myself, “How would I want to be treated?” Sometimes, the most powerful empathy is simply being fully present without trying to solve everything.