“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.

Jess Hewitt

I can’t pinpoint the exact moment in my life where I realized each decision, connection, and path chosen was further developing my deep desire for equity. I can now see it has been empathy driving my actions for a long time. Even in my younger years I tended to develop connections with others often considered ‘outliers’, or what education labels, ‘at risk youth.’ I remember seeing other children being teased, and thinking how unfair it was that they were treated differently because of their personality, clothing, preferences, looks, or any other reason children choose to point out a lack of ‘sameness’ in others. Read More>>

S.g. Willoughby

“Lord, help me have compassion.”

I joke now that one should never pray that.

You see, shortly after, I got sick . . . and I never got better. Chronic illness turned my life upside down in high school. I watched my peers ask out their crushes, move to college, and pursue their dreams, while I was passed through seventeen doctors until I found one that could treat me. Read More>>

Diema Manor

One the condition that allowed me to develop my empathy was watching my mother battle rumatory arthritis of the lungs for 12 years with grace and love. After being diagnosed, she was given 2 years to live without a lung transplant. Her life changed drastically physically but never mentally. For the first year she continued working. Having to carry an oxygen tank with her every day. Her smile beamed just as bright as it had before.  Read More>>

Onesa Oruoghor

The conditions that allowed me to develop empathy include:

Personal Challenges – Going through difficult moments in life has helped me understand pain, resilience, and the importance of kindness.

Deep Connections – Building meaningful relationships with people has taught me to listen, care, and be present for others.
Observing and Listening Paying attention to people’s emotions, body language, and unspoken feelings has made me more attuned to their experiences. Read More>>

Meg Mcsweeney

From a young age I developed close relationships with others and I was very lucky to be exposed to people who lead with compassion which allowed me to learn a way of communicating and connecting with others that feels really good. I’ve always been curious about new experiences and people, so I think as I got older I was able to develop a stronger sense of empathy as I also learned the importance of listening actively and reflecting on my own emotions to better connect with others. In my coaching this shows up frequently with clients who really just need to be seen, heard and have their own experiences validated to be able to grow! Read More>>

Tania Ceballos

Having recently graduated with a degree in Communication Sciences and Techniques, as there were not many opportunities in my hometown of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, I decided to start a loaded doughnuts business with my ex-partner, we had a fairly good success, but the lack of experience and the immaturity of youth worked against us, a year and a half later, my relationship ended along with the business, my parents were in the middle of their divorce and with my heart broken in every possible way, I decided to come for a few weeks to Los Angeles in the spring of 2017, to put distance to everything that tormented me. Read More>>