Empathy is not tantamount to approval

I often receive feedback from others, particularly supervisors, who empathize with my tendencies and shortcomings. They further stress their empathy by conveying that they, too, struggle with the same issues.

What they are saying is that they understand. In turn, what I hear is that are saying that my behaviors okay. In realty, they understand but do not approve or condone.

Thus, empathy does not constitute approval.