Understanding Each Other

Understanding Each Other
Written by Diane Abdo Psy.D.

Understanding another person’s perspective is beneficial to you, them and your relationship with them.  Compassion can, in most situations and relationships, melt anger and division.  By touching a heart, safely and sincerely, we and the other person can feel respected and understood.  From that place, many wonderful moments of connection and healing are possible.  By expanding our awareness to appreciate another’s angles and perspectives, we do not lose strength or conviction, rather, we gain sensitivity and wisdom we were otherwise denying ourselves.

The act of empathy relies upon compassion which helps to dissolve differences between people and to reduce negative emotions and stress which can ultimately be damaging to someone emotionally and, by extension, health-wise.  Most often, when we feel heard, regardless of our position on an issue, it is easier to relax and search for solutions in interactions.

Try this exercise:

In order to “step into” the other person’s role, experience, feelings and perspective, we must first consciously and purposely refuse to impose our view or will into the exchange.  We must suspend personal judgment, prioritize and stand in the other person’s perspective and defend the situation from their angle.

Choose a topic and discuss that topic from the other person’s perspective.  Practice this empathy exercise by entering varying roles:  team members, superior/subordinate, wife/husband, friend/friend and family member/family member.
 
The challenge and opportunity in this exercise is to not impose your view or agenda.  Rather, to experience understanding of the other person’s perspective by “stepping out” of our angle and “stepping into” the other person’s.  This empathy-based skill is a key ingredient in the success of most relationships.
 
Healthy communication is necessary to resolve issues within work, personal or social relationships.  Please consider that the first step in gaining from understanding is to be willing. From that perspective communication accomplishes much. 

Dr. Abdo wants you to connect with your inner peace to experience and develop the sense of empowerment that is rooted in this awareness.  Dr. Abdo believes that, with personal knowledge and enhanced life skills, an individual can actively participate in the course of his or her journey freed of unseen and potentially defeating influences.  She approaches her efforts to help others grow with the deep belief that we must be consciously and proactively involved in the dance steps of our lives to reach our goals and actualize our dreams. 

For more information contact Dr. Abdo at (561) 393-5363.