The third step to cultivating emotional intelligence and empathy is to express yourself. This means being honest and respectful about your own emotions, thoughts, values, and needs, and how they affect your behavior and decisions. You can improve your self-expression skills by using "I" statements, such as "I feel", "I think", or "I need", to share your feelings and opinions, and by using assertive communication, such as "I appreciate", "I request", or "I suggest", to state your preferences and boundaries. Expressing yourself also helps you build trust and rapport with the other person, and avoid misunderstandings and resentment.