“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus for creating change.” – Max Carver
We think Max Carver got it right and that if we truly care about community building and making positive changes in the world, we have to invest in learning about how to become even more empathic as empathy is at the heart of true understanding. We asked some deeply empathic leaders to share their perspectives below.
Jonathan Jay Dubois Dubois
I was always ‘sensitive’. I could sense and even sometimes feel the emotions of those around me. I had trauma, and so I attracted other people with similar trauma. We discussed and were present for each other’s experiences, including their pain. While I think many people have sensitivities, far fewer can hold space for the pain of others. When others cry during their process, we say, “don’t cry.” Read more>>
Lucretia Tye Jasmine
There are several examples. One of the earliest was when I was probably seven years old. I was eating breakfast with family when I noticed red liquid on the plate. I wondered what it was, and so I asked about it. There was an awkward silence at the table and then one person matter-of-factly said, “Blood. Read more>>
Ashlee Makuch
Growing up I experienced a lot of loss and with that comes with a lot of grief. You learn to become empathetic to others because of the experiences you have gone through and thus learning how you want to be treated in those moments which reflects on how you treat others in those moments as well. Read more>>
Daria Matiunina
I would like to say that this is definitely not the final point where I am now. I am sure that empathy can develop indefinitely and become deeper, wider and better. But over the past 10 years, I’ve definitely made giant leaps in this regard. I am convinced that empathy for other people depends on how close you are to yourself. Read more>>
Ben Chaverin
Empathy is meaningless if you don’t take off your Disguise. Empathy is the easiest thing in the world until it’s for someone you don’t understand.
Empathy is just giving a small piece of your personhood, to someone else. Read more>>
