Empathy , May Be the Key To Overcoming , the Political Divide in America.<br />'Newsweek' recently offered readers advice <br />on how empathy could help to overcome <br />deep political divisions in the United States. .<br />'Newsweek' recently offered readers advice <br />on how empathy could help to overcome <br />deep political divisions in the United States. .<br />'Newsweek' suggests that people who are <br />analytical and people who are more emotional <br />each have advantages in different contexts. .<br />'Newsweek' suggests that people who are <br />analytical and people who are more emotional <br />each have advantages in different contexts. .<br />A best-case scenario would be one where both sides can value and respect one another's opinions and take advantage of those differences. .<br />An example of a worst-case scenario, <br />according to 'Newsweek,' would be <br />the current state of American politics. .<br />In the U.S., rather than moderate politicians <br />contributing to constructive dialogues, <br />two extremes appear to be pulling people <br />toward opposite points of no return. .<br />'Newsweek' suggests considering <br />the sage advice of late educator <br />and author Steven Covey, who said, , "To seek first to understand <br />and then to be understood.".<br />According to 'Newsweek,' it's all about using empathy <br />to lay the groundwork for a productive conversation. .<br />The first step is deciding to , bridge the divide, between yourself and someone with a differing opinion. .<br />This can be accomplished by asking questions to try <br />and reach an understanding of where the other person <br />is coming from and why they feel the way they do. .<br />This can be accomplished by asking questions to try <br />and reach an understanding of where the other person <br />is coming from and why they feel the way they do. .<br />Empathy, or the ability to put oneself in another's <br />position, may be the key for the United States <br />to resolve the nation's broadening political divide.
