Communication is complex. Empathy is the bridge.

A couple of years ago, I listened to a podcast about dignity. More than ten minutes were dedicated to explaining what it means to be “loved unconditionally.”

That stuck with me. Two realizations remained: First, how heartbreaking it is that many people never experience unconditional love. Second, how much I’ve grown to enjoy deep, philosophical conversations.

When I was younger, I used to get restless listening to such discussions. My world felt black and white. There was right and wrong, and little in between. Many of you may relate. Over time, life and experience expand our “grey zones.” Different cultures, values, and challenges shape us.

We realize that our reality isn’t everyone’s reality. It’s not as straightforward as it used to be.

Words carry more than meaning

Language is fascinating. It's never just about words. To begin with, some don’t exist in other languages. “Privacy” in Russian, for example, doesn’t have a direct equivalent because historically it wasn’t part of the culture. Japanese has the word "Ma", describing the space between things, the pause that gives rhythm and meaning. German has "Vorfreude", the joyful anticipation before something happens.

Aren’t these words so profound you’d expect them in every language?

Depending on the language or region, certain words also come with different associations and meanings. Take “proud” as an example. In English, saying “I’m proud of you” is uplifting. In French, saying “fier de toi” can imply you’re taking partial credit. In Swiss German, “Ich bi stolz uf mich” often sounds arrogant, so people rarely say it.

In real life, the conversation could go like this: An American says to a French: "I’m proud of you” and means it as a compliment. The French thinks, "Who are they to take credit for my accomplishment?!" And so, they double up: "Yes, I'm proud of myself." A Swiss overhears it and immediately concludes, "The French, so full of themselves!"

A well-intended comment has triggered two people.

Besides vocabulary, it’s also culture, history, and social context that shape meaning. The list of examples is endless. Here’s a short one: In Swiss German, we have an expression for a child, “Goof.” In some areas of Switzerland, it's neutral. But where I live, if you called my child “Goof,” I’d react strongly because here it’s used only for a misbehaving (unmanageable!) kid.

And lastly, it's your individual lens that matters too. Your personality, communication style, and thinking patterns all play a role, as does your emotional state in the moment. Past experiences can color how you hear certain words, just as stress levels or energy shape your reactions. Even generational perspective and the roles we step into (caregivers, leaders, colleagues, or friends) influence interpretation.

All these external and internal factors blend together and shape how you express yourself and how you understand others.

It’s simply impossible to fully know how someone else is “wired.”

How beautiful. And challenging!

The growing importance of empathy

Globalization increases this complexity. Everything has become so accessible and available. We experience diversity not only through language but also through people, food, traditions, values... Far more than previous generations.

That’s why empathy has become more important than ever.

When we listen, we think we listen to understand. In reality, our brain automatically judges, categorizes, and fills in gaps. Psychologists call this unconscious bias. It helps us navigate quickly but can also trap us in assumptions.

The challenge comes when we don’t like what we hear. We get frustrated or hurt. Instead of giving our counterpart the benefit of the doubt, we make snap judgments. Some lash out, others go silent, or walk away.

And we see this everywhere: in supermarkets. Waiting rooms. Schools. Restaurants. Frustration. Sharp comments. Accusations.

My point: the complexity of communication is growing, but our tolerance for other views is shrinking.

Fact is, if you are negatively triggered by everything, it will affect your mental health. When you feel like the world is against you, it becomes your reality. You focus on what could go wrong, and you start to notice and attract exactly that. We see what we expect to see (that's selective attention bias).

What if you turn that around?

You have a huge impact on your environment, and it’s in your control how you react. Next time you feel misled, ignored, or misjudged: PAUSE.

It helps if you count to five or think of your last vacation, for example.

I’m counting to five on a daily basis with my children. It helps me avoid mirroring their emotional outbursts and instead respond with patience and connection (more or less successfully!).

Once you’ve had that breather, focus on the positive. Smile. Give the person the benefit of the doubt and respond with curiosity, kindness, and respect. React with empathy.

You’ll see the shift. You’ll feel the change.

It’s the beginning of welcoming differences. You open yourself to learning, positivity, and peace of mind. And it comes with more balance and laughter too.

The beauty of deeper dialogue

Do you see the parallels to a philosophical conversation? Not the one where someone feels superior and dictates a definition, but the one where you carefully explore what the other person means, try to understand where they’re coming from, and express how it makes you feel.

Why not apply this mindset more often in daily life?

I believe it would slow us down.

And give our interactions the space they deserve. A step toward humanity, bringing back empathy and increasing our understanding of each other.

Because once you see the world through the eyes of others, you realize how much more multi-faceted (and remarkable!) it becomes.

I’d love to hear your reflections. How do you see it?

Keep shining, Yvonne

P.S. Empathy doesn’t excuse hurtful words. Respect, kindness, and curiosity are the foundation. And one more layer worth mentioning: technology. Without tone or body language, written communication like emails or messages leaves even more room for misunderstanding. Maybe a topic for another time...