Posted On: Nov. 18, 2017
Our text states, “Emotional intelligence has three components: (1) the ability to effectively perceive, communicate, and manage negative emotions; (2) the ability to experience, communicate, and sustain positive emotions; and (3) the ability to retain perspective during difficult times and to recover following stressful events (Zautra, 2003).” Empathy in my own words means to understand and care about how someone is feeling. After eating dinner, my husband decided that he wanted to touch-up the house with paint. He walked around with a paint roller and started rolling the walls in different areas of the house. While he did this, I was cleaning up the nice mess that my family tends to leave me almost every day when I come home from work. In addition, I had to sort and start some loads of laundry. He was done with the touch-up before I was done. He came over to me to show me his hands and how he had one little blister. Instead of consoling him, I asked him if he wanted to see my hands. It was difficult for me to show him sympathy knowing that I do a lot more housework than he does. I should have said what a great job he did, rubbed his hands, and asked if he wanted a bandage. Instead, I asked him if he wanted to see my hands. Luckily he responded with a request for a few kisses, which I did grant. Sole, K. (2011). Making Connections: Understanding Interpersonal Communication. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. https://content.ashford.edu Sympathy and empathy are both important in communication. At times showing sympathy is good enough. This is especially true in case the other person is just an acquaintance or if we don’t know him so well or if we are not very close to her. it is better to show empathy when the other person is in pain. One can forego the pain one is going thorough and look at the other person’s views by putting herself in her shoes. This way, the other person would automatically realize the importance of empathy. There are very good chances that she would reciprocate the gesture.