Empathetic Communication to Maintain the Quality of Relationships

When discussing relationships filled with warmth and harmony, we cannot overlook the foundation of those feelings: empathetic communication. Without realizing it, relationships can thrive because they’re built on the communication patterns we use. Moreover, as the COVID-19 pandemic has persisted for over a year now, it’s essential to adopt the right communication patterns—whether with family members, friends, close friends, coworkers, or the surrounding community.

Empathetic communication is a style of communication rooted in care and consideration for the person you’re speaking with or the recipient of the information.

Is it necessary to interact using a specific communication style? Isn’t the most important thing simply that they understand the message we’re conveying? Of course, our mindset toward relationships isn’t formed that easily—people possess the capacity to empathize. When we can understand and empathize with one another, the quality of our relationships improves. This is especially true if we want to avoid relationships that are short-lived.

In professions centered on serving others—or indeed any profession—interaction is inevitable. So, what kind of communication can support an improvement in the quality of relationships? Especially in the current situation, fostering care for one another has become increasingly important.

The Importance of Empathetic Communication

Essentially, the practice of empathetic communication can take place anywhere. For example, in August 2021, Media Buffet PR—an Indonesian PR agency—operated amidst the challenges of adapting to the situation and government policies. This fostered mutual understanding between communicators and recipients. Putting oneself in another person’s shoes is the key to empathetic communication. Essentially, empathetic communication can be practiced anywhere.

For example, one of Indonesia’s PR agencies, Media Buffet PR, operated in August 2021 amid the turmoil of adapting to the situation and government policies. The agency provided both moral and material support—including milk, vitamins, medical supplies, and information about vaccination—to its employees. This step serves as an example of the application of empathetic communication—not merely expressing sympathy but also sharing in their experience and helping to lighten the burden they feel.

Empathetic communication can also be extended to the surrounding community; for instance, as a PR agency that frequently interacts with and builds relationships with the media, this support also reached several local and national journalists.

For those of you interested in the world of public relations, it’s important to always practice empathetic communication! Relationships matter, and maintaining their quality is even more important.

Written by Ajeng Dwi Wardani, Public Relations Intern at Media Buffet PR