Having empathy

Jan 6 eve

Just had an unexpected counselling session with my colleague.
A few weeks ago, I hold back sharing my feedback on her not showing up at  meeting. Not sure how to share without hurting her feelings especially since I can't see her good side.

Today, as she was going thru some work stuff with me. I suddenly see that her appearing as 'uncertain' is not 'true'. She just thinking out aloud and she need to have the whole pix before she feel okay on giving her point of view.
I told her that I understand her and in her line of work and at her seniority, she is required to give her point of view, as that is the saleable factor,
I also said that her situation further compounded as she looks so confident and hence people already had an expectation of her giving them a point of view and when she didn't, it become double disappointment.

I can then shared that her strength is viewed as weakness due to her line of work. She just need to present herself in the right way, give her point of view, but qualify it if necessary. Hope she can make her way through.