# Empathy
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## What role does empathy play in your life and how has it helped you?

Practicing empathy has helped me in my relationship with my wife by understanding the position in which she is coming from. Using empathy when dealing with other people in all areas of life helps by humanizing the probem or issue I am dealing with.  By using empathy when dealing with other people you create a connection with that person.  Therefore, its easier to understand where that person is coming from.

## How does empathy help you build better software?

Empathy helps one build better software by understanding what results or outcomes the client/user wants.  If you are able to understand what the client wants, you can also understand what the client doesn't want.  Therefore, you can create a better solution for them. You can also add value to this software that you are creating.

## Why is empathy important for working on a team?

Empathy is important for a team so each member of the team can better understand one another in order to work more effectively together. It also helps bring you closer as a team by reducing animosity between members. If members feel more respected from other members, they are more likely to contribute more often.  If team members feel more understood it could eliminate some problems before they arise.

## Describe a situation in which your ability to empathize with a colleague or teammate was helpful.

While empathizing with my teammate I was able learn it was more important to take our time and work more precisely while finishing a project, rather than just finishing quickly.  We were able to provide better quality work.  There was less animosity between us.  We understood each other better and were able to find solutions faster in the fututre.

## When do you find it most difficult to be empathetic in professional settings? How can you improve your skills when faced with these scenarios?

I find it most difficult to be empathetic in an unfriendly work environment.  Where there is an unwillingness from colleagues to understand each other.  I can overcome this by choosing to be first in empathizing with others and willing to be wrong for the benefit of the team.  Thus, leading by example.