Discover why empathy for difficult people benefits YOU, not them. Understanding perspectives you disagree with reduces stress and increases your influence – without compromising your values.
The story
I’ve been wrestling with something lately. When someone makes me really angry, my first instinct is to write them off completely. But I’m learning there’s actual value in trying to understand these “enemies.”
The book “A Practical EmPath: Rewire Your Mind” opened my eyes to something surprising – practicing empathy for difficult people benefits ME more than them.
When I make the effort to understand perspectives I disagree with:
• My stress levels actually go down
• My thinking becomes clearer
• I gain influence rather than losing it
• I find unexpected common ground
This isn’t about agreeing with harmful views. Cognitive empathy means understanding WITHOUT necessarily sharing someone’s perspective. It’s recognizing their humanity while maintaining your boundaries.
What’s fascinating is how this skill transforms leaders. Those who can understand opposing viewpoints create environments where people feel safe enough to innovate and collaborate.
I’m finding that empathy isn’t weakness – it’s a practical superpower. The next time someone makes your blood boil, try getting curious about their perspective before dismissing it. You might not change your mind about them, but you’ll definitely change something within yourself.
