Good Communication is Empathetic Communication

Good communication isn’t just about getting our point across—it’s about bridging the gap between perspectives.

In business, we focus a lot on clear messaging: sharing our goals, making our intentions known, and ensuring our ideas are understood. But clarity alone isn’t always enough. What happens when the person on the other side has different goals, constraints, or concerns?

Clear communication ensures we’re heard. Empathetic communication helps us navigate differing needs and priorities.

True communication isn’t just about stating our case—it’s about recognizing that others may see the situation differently. When we acknowledge this and adjust our approach, we turn our communication into a bridge that can span the gap between competing viewpoints. 

Clarity expresses intent. Empathy builds understanding. Together, they lead to better outcomes.

Even the most experienced professionals can get this wrong. We all have moments where we think we’re being clear, but we’re missing the bigger picture. Have you ever dug in attempting to clarify an important point only to realize the listener was trying to have a completely different conversation?