Do you ever wish you could develop a deeper understanding of what other people are feeling? Do you worry you lack empathy or aren’t able to see things from another person’s perspective?
Emotional intelligence is something that some people tend to develop naturally, while others need to work at it a bit more. Thankfully, there are skills you can develop that will make it easier to not only understand other people’s emotions, but respond to them in healthy, helpful ways.
Let’s cover a few of those skills that you can hone and put into practice immediately. When you develop a better understanding of others’ emotions, empathy and compassion will naturally grow. You might even end up seeing the world from a new perspective.
Be an Active Listener
There’s a big difference between hearing what people say and actively listening. Being an active listener means truly hearing what someone else has to say. You can practice active listening by asking questions for clarification, repeating important statements you hear, and using nonverbal cues like nodding to let someone know you’re listening.
When you choose to be an active listener, you’re giving the person speaking your full attention. Not only can it strengthen your connection with that person, but you’re more likely to pick up on their emotions and develop a better understanding of how they really feel.
Talk to New People
If you’re constantly around the same people in your social circle, you’re likely never going to tap into new emotions because you’re used to how those individuals react and respond to things.
Make it a point to meet new people and learn about different thoughts, feelings, and perspectives.
It’s not always easy to put yourself out there. But, when the opportunity strikes to have a conversation with someone new, take it. It might be in the line to get coffee at your favorite bakery, or at a networking event for work. You can learn a lot about emotions by observing how different people express them.
Put Yourself in Someone Else’s Shoes
Understanding and responding to other people’s emotions will help you gain more empathy. Being empathetic is all about seeing something from another person’s perspective, or “walking a mile in their shoes.”
If you have a hard time engaging with people or reading emotions, consider the perspective they might be coming from. You don’t necessarily have to agree to it or even understand it, but considering it will help you become more in tune with those feelings.
Keep a Journal
Journaling is a great way to manage your mental well-being and keep your thoughts and emotions organized. However, it can also be a fantastic platform for fostering emotional intelligence and understanding emotions.
At the end of each day, reflect in your journal on different conversations you had. Maybe someone got upset during a meeting at work. Maybe you had a conversation with a family member about an upcoming celebration. When you take the time to consider these conversations and the emotions displayed throughout them, you’ll end your day thinking about how different emotions are displayed, so you can develop a deeper understanding.
The great thing about journaling is that it gives you something to look back on. You can essentially track your progress.
Talk to Someone
If you’re still having trouble understanding the emotions of others, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional. Therapy can help you develop even more skills that will make it easier to understand and respond to other people’s emotions. You’ll gain more empathy and greater emotional intelligence, which can help you in nearly every aspect of life. Feel free to Contact Us for more information or to set up a complimentary consultation with one of our therapists.