“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.
Johnkelvin Murithi
When I first took on a leadership role, I realized I didn’t want to lead from a purely positional standpoint. I wanted to genuinely engage those who reported to me and show that I truly cared for them as individuals. My goal was to lead them as a friend, not just a supervisor. However, I noticed a gap in my emotional quotient; I found it challenging to relate to some and connect with all. Read more>>
Angelique Wong
My empathy was developed by constantly focusing on what I don’t know about someone. I find that most people make assumptions, decisions and even pass judgment utilizing only the information at their disposable without considering the unspoken factors that play a role in all of our lives. Read more>>
GR8FL (Grateful) Jesse
Any of my success is directly connected to empathy. I was an actor until my mid 20s and learned how to mentally and emotionally walk a mile in someone’s shoes. I’ve traveled all over the world and met so many people and listened to their stories of heartbreak, stress, love, joy, pain, suffering, happiness, etc.. Read more>>
KateLyn Costa
Cultivating empathy has been a lifelong journey for me, beginning with early experiences that shaped my sensitivity to others’ emotions. As long as I can remember, I absorbed the deep psychological and emotional pains within my family, particularly my father’s. Read more>>
Madelyn Lett
Experiencing abuse as a child has profoundly shaped my ability to empathize with and encourage others. Going through such traumatic events opened my eyes to the deep pain and struggles that many people endure, often silently. This firsthand understanding of suffering has given me a unique perspective on the importance of empathy. Read more>>
Elizabeth Regal
I love the palette of questions asked in this article. They are not of the typical or mundane in any way. Empathy is simply a genetic predisposition as anything about us. Some are pre-wired for lower empathy and compassion, while others are highly in tuned. Read more>>
Navid Ezra
My parents instilled empathy and compassion in my siblings and me growing up. I have felt drawn to the practice of medicine as my father is a physician who has provided medical care to immigrants for several years. This is why I chose to become a doctor. While in residency, I witnessed a vast array of severe Mohs surgery cases at the county hospital in Indiana. Read more>>
