The Value of Empathy in Interpersonal Communication - Essay Example

Ioannidou and Konstantikaki (2008) posited: Empathy and confidence are the basis on which any effective relationship, understanding, and communication can be built. They are crucial in developing ideas and solutions, in problem-solving, effective communication and avoiding or preventing conflicts. (p.119) The idealization of empathy was first explored from the artistic field, where empathy is described as the emotion that one feels when seeing a painting or portrait that is passionately moving or touching.

Empathy is beyond knowing the facts. It deals with knowing the sentiments that go along with the facts. I recall a time when a friend of mine was having relationship problems, and she tried to confide her feelings to me. I found it difficult to understand and reach out to her emotions because I approached the matter in a rational and pragmatic way. I was more focused on finding effective results to put her out of the situation that I neglected the fact that her feelings were also another concern that needed to be dealt with.

As a result, my friend became frustrated and hurt since she felt that I was not very concerned with how she felt and that I was taking the issue rather coldly and aloofly. Perhaps, if I was more mindful and concerned with her emotional disposition, and reached out to her feelings instead of treating it rationally, we might have developed a better understanding of each other and her problem.