Here's how you can incorporate empathy into problem-solving when building relationships.

Active listening is more than just appearing to listen. It is a non-judgmental state of actively engaging in the conversation as the listener and seeking to understand what is being communicated to you. It is incredibly important to understand the tone of the message being expressed. For example, if someone is speaking to you about a very sad event that just occurred, you want to remain mindful of your posture so that you appear calm and available to listen (not in a hurry). Once a person’s speech trails off or gets repetitive, you can allow a brief pause to ensue. Then, you want to summarize what you understand they are trying to state. You should be able to verbalize what they are trying to say after listening.

Nothing can stop anger faster than by validating someone’s feelings. It definitely says you see them, as well as demonstrating you’re trying to understand the situation from their lens.

You can simply say, "I know how you feel, I've felt the same way before..." By opening up, you make others feel they can trust you, encouraging them to share their real problems or challenges. It worked for me many times, as I wasn't afraid to share my emotions and stories with others.

Create a safe space for people so they can share. In cases like that sharing first always helps. But most importantly being vulnerable helps the most. When you show vulnerability you create an open communication channel. It builds trust. When you do so, you can work on finding a proper resolution together. Other things that work are asking open-ended questions and active listening. When people share, they want to be heard and understood. Make sure to listen intently. You can do that with paraphrasing, and your body language.

Offering support is a powerful way to demonstrate empathy. It involves actively listening to others, understanding their challenges, and responding with compassion. Whether it’s a colleague overwhelmed with tasks or a customer facing an issue, genuine support fosters trust and connection. By acknowledging their feelings and providing practical assistance, we create a supportive environment where problems are addressed collaboratively.

Because each of us have our own inherent strengths and struggles, using assessments to understand people better gives you the advantage for building relationships. By identifying each team member's unique behavioral style, you can tailor your communication and approach accordingly. To enhance empathy, you might need to show compassion or listen actively to understand the perspective of one team member whereas with another, you need to respect their need for reflection. Effective problem solving requires that you encourage open communication, share insights and perspectives, and utilize each of Your team members strengths. This also requires transparency about your own strengths and struggles allowing you to build trust within the team.

Here are some practical ways to do so: 1. Listen actively: Show you are fully present and understand their words and feelings. 2. Acknowledge feelings: Validate their emotions even if you do not agree. 3. See their perspective: Consider their background to understand where they are coming from. 4. Ask open questions: Encourage them to share more. 5. Show empathy: Use phrases like "I see why you feel that way." 6. Offer help: Be supportive in finding solutions. 7. Avoid judgment: Do not rush to judge; focus on understanding. 8. Collaborate: Work together to find answers that work for both. 9. Follow up: Check in later to show ongoing support. 10. Learn together: Use interactions to strengthen your relationship.