Empathy is defined as the ability to imagine oneself in another's place and understand the other's feelings, desires, ideas and actions. Over the years, I have found the best way to do this (and teach team members how to do it) is by naming the emotion. You have to articulate to the customer what they are feeling and validate it. “I understand how you feel, I’d be frustrated too.” Or, “I completely understand and if that happened to me, it would make me very upset.” By naming the emotion, expressing understanding and placing yourself in the customer’s place, you begin the process of diffusing the situation.