I dedicated part of my day to volunteering through a video call with someone from a nation enduring the hardships of war. It’s not easy to put myself in another person’s situation. Having never lived through war, I sometimes find it nearly impossible to fully imagine what they are going through. Still, I did my best to listen, understand, and share pieces of my own life experience. Has anyone else had a similar experience, and how can we share these moments to foster empathy in others?
PMO Leader | Speaker & Mentor | Content Leader – PMOGA Latin America
Hub| Catholic University of UruguayMontevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
What a valuable gesture. Listening with presence, without having experienced the same thing, is already a profound act of empathy. In my experience as a mentor, I have seen how sharing from vulnerability -without pretending to have answers, just offering humanity- can open spaces of transformative connection.
I believe that making these moments visible, as you did, is part of the journey. When we turn them into stories, into shared learning, we help others to look beyond their immediate reality. Thank you for planting that seed. Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Your experience reminds us of a vital truth: empathy doesn’t require identical experience — it requires presence, intentional listening, and a willingness to hold space for another’s story, even when it’s hard to grasp fully.
Stephen Covey’s principles come to mind here, especially two that feel deeply relevant:
- “Seek first to understand, then to be understood” — You embodied this by listening with openness, without rushing to interpret or fix.
That act alone builds bridges across borders and pain.
- “Think win-win” — In contexts of suffering, this isn’t about outcomes in the traditional sense. It’s about mutual human growth: the person feels heard, and you grow in humility, perspective, and compassion.
That, too, is a win.
Moments like these aren’t just conversations — they are seeds of synergy, where difference doesn't divide but deepens the connection.
Especially in global volunteer communities like PMI’s, these acts of deep listening can ripple far beyond the call itself.
Thank you for modeling what it means to lead with humanity.
Yes — let’s share these moments more.
Not to center ourselves, but to normalize courageous empathy and expand the circles of trust that our world so urgently needs.
Thanks so much for the reply. I really appreciate the perspective both of you shared. I guess sometimes, just being there and offering the space might provide a bit of a relief to someone. It’s been a relief for me too, as I start to understand that empathy isn’t about having everything figured out or fully understanding every detail. It’s about standing with someone, providing space for their experience, and offering that quiet, supportive presence. Once again, I truly appreciate the insights. Appreciate it. Saving Changes...
PM Consultant| CLOUD SAFE CO., LTD.New Taipei City, NWT, Taiwan
Hello Danny,
Thank you for sharing this. I really admire that you choose to spend your time in conversations like this – it takes a lot of emotional strength to be present with someone who is living through war.
Like you, I’ve never experienced war myself, and it’s hard to truly understand what people are going through. News and media only show a very small, one-dimensional part of their reality. What you described – listening, trying to understand, and offering pieces of your own life – already feels like a powerful form of support.
I feel that empathy in these situations grows from staying curious, hearing as many perspectives as we can, and then sharing those human stories (with permission and without breaking confidentiality) so others remember there are real people behind the headlines. Even if we are just one person among billions, being willing to listen and hold space can lighten someone’s burden a little – and that, in itself, matters. Saving Changes...
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