Dr. Caroline Fleck

No, no, common mistake, but that's not what we're talking about. We're also not talking about agreement, which I want to clarify upfront because a lot of people confuse validation. If I validate somebody, I must agree with them, which is not the case.

So validation communicates basically that you see the other person, you hear them, okay? If I was to give you the academic definition, we'd say validation communicates, first and foremost, it's a form of communication. It communicates mindfulness, understanding, and empathy in a way that conveys genuine acceptance, okay? So it's just that feeling of like, oh, I feel seen.

So validation communicates basically that you see the other person, you hear them, okay? If I was to give you the academic definition, we'd say validation communicates, first and foremost, it's a form of communication. It communicates mindfulness, understanding, and empathy in a way that conveys genuine acceptance, okay? So it's just that feeling of like, oh, I feel seen.

So validation communicates basically that you see the other person, you hear them, okay? If I was to give you the academic definition, we'd say validation communicates, first and foremost, it's a form of communication. It communicates mindfulness, understanding, and empathy in a way that conveys genuine acceptance, okay? So it's just that feeling of like, oh, I feel seen.

I feel like you really get me, all right? I can validate somebody even though I don't agree with their perspective. I can validate why somebody would eat meat even though I myself am a vegetarian. And if I wanted to try and change their opinion and have a debate, I could do that too. I could definitely find plenty that I disagree with and that I could nitpick.

I feel like you really get me, all right? I can validate somebody even though I don't agree with their perspective. I can validate why somebody would eat meat even though I myself am a vegetarian. And if I wanted to try and change their opinion and have a debate, I could do that too. I could definitely find plenty that I disagree with and that I could nitpick.

I feel like you really get me, all right? I can validate somebody even though I don't agree with their perspective. I can validate why somebody would eat meat even though I myself am a vegetarian. And if I wanted to try and change their opinion and have a debate, I could do that too. I could definitely find plenty that I disagree with and that I could nitpick.

But if I'm just looking for the validity in their perspective, the kernel of truth, I can look and find that and communicate that.

But if I'm just looking for the validity in their perspective, the kernel of truth, I can look and find that and communicate that.

But if I'm just looking for the validity in their perspective, the kernel of truth, I can look and find that and communicate that.

Oh, you are? Yeah.

Oh, you are? Yeah.

Oh, you are? Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I get it.

I get it.

I get it.

I absolutely, 100%. I was also most of my life until, let's see, until college.