Understanding the feelings of others coupled with the ability to imagine their current  emotions and the impact there-off is the cornerstone of positive human interactions.

One of the best ways to contain an interpersonal interaction from exploding into violent disagreements or  spiralling out of control is to acknowledge how others feel and work toward understanding why and what it means.

Understanding/Not Acceptance

Empathy focuses on understanding others thoughts and associated feelings, this does necessarily equate to acceptance or agreement.   It is through shared understanding that we can build collaboration.

Sensitivity to your own feelings and actions impacts on others is a key part of empathy.  Empathetic people use their awareness of others feelings for the betterment of all.

Typically,  acting with empathy provides benefits to  all parties and while it is an unselfish way to behave it can increase your own personal enjoyment as well as that of others .  Basically a win win behaviour.

Collaboration

Empathy can be a very powerful go to behaviour for both leaders and followers who wish to benefit from the best everyone has to offer.

Working together to produce or create something can produce high quality results but is to be effective the process is very much dependent on all parties sensing and acting on the needs of others.

A lack of empathy does not mean good results will not be attained but the most efficient and effective results will always come from situations where everyone is empathetic to others.