How To Empathize With Others In 3 Simple Steps
By Michael Lee

Some people are natural born empathizers. But if you're not, and you want to know how to empathize with others, then this article will put you on the right track.

If you want to learn how to identify with what other people are feeling, then follow these 3 simple steps on how to empathize with others:

Step 1: Look Inside Yourself.

To be able to successfully empathize with another person, you need to look inside yourself and dig up that old trunk of emotions. No matter how cold-hearted someone may be, there is a small part in each of us that still understands basic human emotion.

This is easy for others, but might be a little confusing for those who have locked their feelings away. If you belong to the latter, then this might be a meaningful experience for you too.

Stop distracting yourself from your emotions and face them head on. This enables you to have a deeper understanding of yourself as well as of others.

Step 2: Listen To What They're Not Saying.

Feelings are tricky and people don't always mean what they say. If you want to know how to empathize with others, be a good listener.

Don't just listen to the words that are coming out of their mouth; be observant of non-verbal expressions as well.

Are their eyes tearing up even when they say they don't care? Are they fidgety even if they claim that they're not worried? These things alone can help you identify with what's really going on in their hearts.

Step 3: It's Not About You.

While understanding your own emotions is a part of learning how to empathize with others, it's not all about you.

Don't go on a tirade of how you felt this and that. Be sensitive to what the other person is feeling and allow said person to express himself.

Don't butt in or make assumptions. Instead, focus your attention on the who, why, what, where and how of that other person's feelings. It's tempting to steal the limelight; but if you do so, you will have failed your basic mission.

Learning how to empathize with others is very important because it allows you to make better and informed decisions. It gives you an in-depth perspective of why people are the way they are.

Whether you're a manager, an employee or someone who's in a relationship, this kind of skill will prove to be a most useful tool.