“A 9-year-old girl came home from school, usually quiet. Her mother noticed but didn’t push her to talk; instead gently sat beside her and said,” You seem a little off today. Want to share what’s on your mind?” At first, she shrugged, but the calm tone and open space invited her to speak. She eventually shared that her classmates had laughed at her reading aloud. Her mother didn’t interrupt or correct her feelings; she simply listened. Later, she helped her daughter practice and reassured her that everyone learns differently.
That moment didn’t just comfort the girl, but it also strengthened their bond. It is a simple act of communication that taught her she was safe, seen and valued.” That is Empathy in action: quiet, attentive and deeply powerful. In this article, we will learn about how empathy enhances communication skills, Compassion and Inclusion.
Empathy Explained: More Than an Emotional Response
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, but it’s more than simply “feeling bad” for someone. True empathy includes cognitive awareness, emotional resonance and often an urge to act compassionately. Communication acts as the bridge between empathy and meaningful connection. Without this connection, good intentions may go unheard or misunderstood.
Read More: The Neural Basis of Empathy: How the Brain Processes the Emotions of Others
Conversation as a channel for building empathy
- Active listening: Listening with intent, not to respond, but to understand, is one of the most powerful ways to convey empathy. When we listen without judgment, interrupting or trying to “fix”, we affirm the other person’s emotions.
- Verbal Cues: simple phrases like “ I hear you”, “that sounds really hard”, or “can I imagine how that feels”, create a safe space for the other person. These acknowledgements validate experience and deepen connection.
- Non-Verbal Cues: Body Language matters. eye contact, open posture, nodding and tone convey attentiveness. Often, it’s what is not said that matters most.
Read More: The Social Brain: Neuroscience of Human Connection and Mental Health
Empathy Across Cultures: The Inclusive Power Of Communication
When empathy is used to understand people who are different to us, it becomes life-changing; whether by culture, gender, ability or lived experience. Comprehensive communication means maintaining focus on language that might marginalise, offend or ignore certain groups. For example, choosing gender inclusive pronouns or leading clear of stereotypes in daily interactions. These practices can help to establish a sense of belonging.
Visually inclusive initiatives, workplace training and culturally rich storytelling are growing very popular because they communicate empathy across cultural lines. They allow people to feel seen and heard, often when first encountered.
Factors Disrupting Empathetic Interactions
Even with the best intentions, communication can break down. Common barriers for empathetic interactions include :
- Prejudgment: Assuming we know what someone means before they finish.
- Cultural differences: misinterpretation of gestures or words across cultural contexts.
- Emotional overlook: Our own stress can make it harder to show up compassionately.
- Digital miscommunication: texts or emails lack tone and body language, increasing the risk of misunderstanding.
Overcoming these requires emotional regulation, self-awareness and a willingness to ask clarifying questions.
Can empathy be cultivated through training?
Yes! Some studies in the field of neuroscience and psychology confirm that empathy can be refined.
- A meta-analysis found that empathy training produces a moderate effect size in health care professionals, indicating significant improvement in empathetic skills.[1]
- A neuroscience study showed that even adults’ empathy responses could be influenced through observational learning; I.e., seeing empathetic or non-empathetic responses from others changed participants’ neural and self-reported empathy.[2]
Communication skills like reflective listening, nonviolent language and emotional mirroring can be taught and practised.
Read More: Psychologist’s Insights on Empathy and Its Psychological Foundations
Real Life Example
Many schools and workplaces now run “empathy circles” or workshops where participants practice deep listening and restating others’ viewpoints before sharing their own. These practices improve emotional intelligence and ease conflict. (Gerdes et al., 2011).
Fostering Empathy in the Workplace
In the healthcare sector, empathetic communication improves patient outcomes. In classrooms, empathetic communication reduces bullying. Managers who practice empathy, regular check-ins, respectful feedback and inclusive language build stronger, more collaborative teams. According to a 2021 Catalyst report, 76% of employees with empathetic leaders report high engagement, compared to 32% with less empathetic leadership.
Building Inclusion Through Effective Communication
There are many ways to build inclusion via effective communication
- Use open-ended questions like “How can I support you?” instead of “Are you okay?”
- Avoid assumptions: ask before offering advice or solutions.
- Engage with cultural awareness and openness: there should be a tendency to be curious and learning from other people.
- Acknowledge mistakes and offer a sincere apology: during communication, if something is said that is unintentionally hurtful, a sincere apology can strengthen trust.
Read More: Mastering Effective Communication: Building Trust and Strong Relationships
Empathy in the age of Digital Communication
In today’s increasingly digital world, communicating empathy virtually matters. Thoughtful emails, mindful video calls and use of respectful social media comments can still create human warmth: only if we are intentional. Using emojis, tone indicators like ‘S’ for sarcasm or simply saying “I appreciate your message”, however, are very small but powerful and meaningful gestures.
Conclusion: empathy is a choice and a practice
Empathy is not just a trait; rather, it’s a practice that is nurtured through mindful communication. In today’s world, which is marked by increasing diversity and digital interactions, it is more essential to connect with others through understanding and compassion. Whether in a family setting, workplace, classrooms or online spaces, communication becomes the bridge that allows us to see and support each other with authenticity.
Fostering empathy through active listening, inclusive dialogue, and emotional awareness leads to more connected, respectful and inclusive communities. As research and practice show, empathy can be cultivated through training, experience and intention. In doing so, we don’t just enhance personal relationships or professional environments, but we contribute to a more humane and emotionally intelligent society.
In essence, when communication is grounded in empathy, it becomes a powerful tool for social change in the form of transforming conversations into moments of healing, connection and shared humanity.
References +
Lee, L. (2025). Empathetic communication in higher education: Implications for teacher success. Journal of Education and Health Promotion. https://doi.org/10.0000/jehp.2025.40917977
Shiomi, R., Tsuboi, T., et al. (2023). The chain mediating effect of empathy and communication ability on emotional intelligence and caring ability of nursing students. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1339194. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1339194
Abe, K., & Watanabe, M. (2023). Can teaching serious illness communication skills foster multidimensional empathy? A mixed‑methods study. BMC Medical Education, 23, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909‑023‑04010‑z
Hojat, M., & et al. (2018). Communication skills training and the conceptual structure of empathy among medical students. Academic Medicine, 93(8), 1234‑1239. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0b013e3182086fe1
Kim, Y., & Park, S. (2021). Empathy and attitude toward communication skill learning as a predictor of patient-centred attitude: A cross‑sectional study of dental students in Korea. BMC Medical Education, 21, 579. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909‑021‑02674‑z
Romanoff, S. (2023). How empathic listening can build deeper connections in your life. Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/how‑to‑try‑empathic‑listening‑8357721
Beheshti, A., Arashlow, F. T., Fata, L., et al. (2024). The relationship between empathy and listening styles is complex: Implications for doctors in training. BMC Medical Education, 24, 267. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909‑024‑05258‑9
Subramanya, V., Spychalski, J., Coats, S., Gottstein, E., Chancellor, J., Kulshreshtha, A. (2024). Empathetic communication in telemedicine: A pilot study. PRIMERO, 8:36. https://doi.org/10.22454/PRiMER.2024.644242
Sera Castelino, P., & Mendonca, T. L. (2023). Effect of communication skills training on empathy of nursing students. RGUHS Journal of Nursing Sciences, 13(1), 25‑28. DOI:10.26463/rjns.13_1_4
Haut, K., Wohn, C., Kane, B., Carroll, T., et al. (2023). Validating a virtual human and automated feedback system for training doctor‑patient communication skills. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2306.15213
