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Communication Using Empathy Responses
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Written by Robert Bacal
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Empathy responses are ways of reacting to someone that shows that we understand and can relate to their situation, particularly on an emotional level. It's effectiveness relates to the degree to which we can PROVE to the other person that we do understand. Read on for examples of verbal and nonverbal examples of empathy responses. Usually empathy responses involve identifying and acknowledging the other person's emotional state verbally, although it is possible to express empathy in nonverbal ways. Examples of verbal empathy include:
- "it seems like you are pretty upset about this"
- "I can tell you are probably frustrated with this conversation"
- "are you feeling sad because of John's layoff?" (use of an empathetic question)
Nonverbal examples might be patting someone on the back, appropriate facial expressions showing you share an understanding of the emotion, etc.
This is an exerpt from Confllict Prevention In the Workplace. For more detailed help on workplace communication and conflict, click here.
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Communication Skills 
