Shows care, validation, and emotional understanding
Why rephrase?
A small change in tone can turn a conflict into an opportunity for mutual understanding.
We identify the core emotion and need, then wrap it in supportive language that reduces defensiveness.
Human intent • kinder tone
The Empathy Gap
Notice how small shifts in wording dramatically change the emotional impact.
"You're always late and it's annoying."
"I've been feeling a bit anxious when we miss our start time. How can we make this easier for both of us?"
"Fix this right now, it's urgent."
"I would appreciate your attention to this matter when you have a moment, as I'm looking to ensure we remain aligned with our objectives."
Connection First
By leading with empathy, you validate the other person's experience before solving the problem.