Which is the critical component of a great relationship?

It is empathy for each other.

Empathy is a powerful emotion that helps people to relate with each other. Empathy fosters intimacy, trust, and belonging. Empathy is the most critical component of any relationship because it helps in understanding other person’s viewpoint, fosters appreciation and trains you to be an active and empathetic listener

Empathy is powerful It is the mechanism that allows people to understand and relate to others. Empathy is a necessary precursor to intimacy, trust, and belonging. It is also the feeling that makes it difficult to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.

Understanding other person’s perspective is one of the valuable skills in modern times. This process is called social cognition.

Social cognition helps people to understand people feelings, beliefs, experiences and intentions.

Fundamentally, social insight includes you, having the option to distinguish the psychological conditions of others, imagining another person’s perspective. This assists us with understanding their convictions, sentiments, encounters and aims.

For example, when watching somebody’s face we will in general copy her look, grinning when she does, scowling in understanding. Such mimicry may not be obvious; however, minute muscle actuation can be recognized by a person with enthusiastic articulation and keen observation. Understanding other person’s viewpoint is one of the key components of emotional intelligence.

The need to be appreciated is one of the core drives of a human being. The initial step to developing appreciation is liking the individuals who serve and help you consistently. Regardless of whether it’s the cleaner in your home or the clerk at the store or the messenger who presents to you a bundle, be benevolent to these individuals and appreciate their contributions.

For instance, somebody who saw another worker working effectively with an especially troublesome client, may ‘offer props’ to that individual and remember them before the gathering as having worked hard. The act of appreciating simple gestures in others goes a long way in building great relationships.

There is one aspect of communication that is often overlooked and it is none other than emphatic or active listening. Active listening is a key skill and being observant and attentive to details can create instant rapport. How often do we get engrossed in our own world when someone is talking?

Active listening is the process of listening mindfully while another person talks, rewording and reflecting on what is being said, and retaining judgment and counsel.

For example, active listening is sacrosanct in personal relationships and most of the conflicts between spouse or a friend can be averted by listening attentively. The act of active listening can build trust and long-lasting relationships.

Empathy is sacrosanct in any kind of relationship and the key aspect of empathy is understanding other person’s viewpoint, showing appreciation and emphatic listening.

Empathy is a skill that can be developed with self-awareness and self-reflection in our day-to-day interactions.

Dr. Vivekananth Padmanabhan

Senior lecturer ICT/HRM

Soft Skills Trainer/Content Writer

ISBAT University