What cognitive empathy is—and why it matters more than you think

Have you ever nodded along in a conversation, but inside you’re wondering, what are they really thinking? That gap between what’s said and what’s meant is where most connections fall flat.

Cognitive empathy helps you close that disconnect. It’s what turns social awkwardness into flow, tension into trust, and small talk into actual presence.

“Knowing people’s conscientiousness can also change how you communicate with them through email, through chat…” says Vanessa Van Edwards, a speaker wit...