“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.
Ted Hoskinson
I believe most people have empathy. They may view certain situations with a skeptical eye, but when they see a real-life situation, most will help in some way! Someone standing by the side of the road with a sign may sometimes cause skepticism. Read more>>
Marion Elarms
The conditions that allowed me to develop empathy for others starting in my childhood growing up without the presence of my parents and being raised by my grandparents helped me develop empathy for others. Having the experience of neglect and feeling unloved allowed me to care for others in my field of work. Read more>>
Jess Tims
During my own struggle with infertility, I felt so lonely. I felt that no one could understand what I was going through. It seemed that every woman around me was getting pregnant, and I was the only one who couldn’t conceive. I became bitter, angry and jealous towards my friends who were having baby showers and giving birth to bouncing babies. It was a very dark two years for me. Read more>>
Tina Tan
Well, the short answer is that it all comes from my life experiences. I think that the difficulties and challenges one faces helps you to develop empathy for others in similar circumstances. I grew up in Singapore, where I “fit in” as in: I looked similar to most folks, we shared the same culture and language, we were used to the same types of foods, etc. But at 17, I left to go to college in the US – in Boulder, CO. Read more>>
Denita Forges
As a Child of God, I firmly believe in the significance of cognitive empathy, which is the ability to comprehend another individual’s emotional response to a given situation. This belief emanates from the understanding that I may potentially encounter similar circumstances, and by envisioning my own emotional state in those scenarios, I can cultivate a profound understanding of the emotional perspectives of others. Read more>>
Dewayne Rogers
I personally feel that much of my empathy and more compassionate nature comes from the many experiences I’ve had throughout my life in which I’ve had to learn patience/understanding almost as a survival thing. Although circumstances within my life have thrown challenges at me, I have also been fortunate to have a positive circle around me during difficult times. Read more>>
Dana Buckmir
We moved to a rich, affluent, small, suburban town when I was in high school. We were not rich. I was also going through an ugly duckling phase. I had bad acne, a frizzy perm, braces, and glasses. I was an outsider in a town where everyone grew up with each other from infancy. I became a prime target for bullies. I was bullied all four years of high school. Read more>>
Brandon Carter
Growing up as an only child, I spent more time around adults than I did children my own age. My parents were both police officers and worked odd hours of the night, So I’d have to entertain myself with books or video games. I never really had the opportunity to develop social skills or learn how to interact with my peers. Add to that a penchant for oddly timed animal noises and it wasn’t long before I was one of the most bullied kids in school. Read more>>
Priyanka Gupta
alot of metta – aka loving kindness meditations. Read more>>
Farheen Zahid
The conditions that allowed me to develop my empathy were the challenging experiences I faced as a cancer survivor and physically disabled individual. Going through intense medical treatments, coping with physical limitations, and navigating the emotional toll of cancer and disability has given me a unique perspective and understanding of others’ struggles. Read more>>
Adrienne Leigh
I think some of us are just born with the capacity to feel extremely deeply & I have always been a deep feeler. From a very young age, I could walk into a room & feel what others were feeling. Not knowing this was my superpower, I pushed my empathy to the side & tried not to be as sensitive. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that by feeling others’ emotions, I am actually helping them process what they’re going through. Read more>>
Ebony Sims
Growing up I was exposed to hard working people. Seeing my family not put their health at priority has taught me how to take care of myself. Early in life, I witnessed my mom shifting into sickness and becoming disabled to blindness. Witnessing this made me feel discouraged and confused about what was happening to my mom’s health. Read more>>
