Tag: Howard Gardner

Yet contemporary communication platforms can make it harder to build empathy with conversational partners. In many ways, our devices help us talk at (@?) My research into cross-cultural communications has taught me that empathy is not only the key to feeling connected – “I understand you” – but also the foundation for changing our narratives about one another – “now I see we are not so different.” That’s an important point to remember after such a difficult political experience. For an increasing number of us, feeling connected – to family or otherwise – is becoming more difficult. Words matter Talking is more than just exchanging information. When you talk, or even write, you reflect on your own position. Consider writing your thoughts out before you bring them up in conversation at the table. Simply writing your thoughts out can change them. When we have an opportunity to spend time with people who matter to us, we should embrace it, seeking to understand them and to present ourselves openly, to be understood as well. When we are apart, technology can be used to connect us.