“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.
Leticia DeSuze
This is a quote that has been falsely attributed to Harriet Tubman, but it’s still powerful nonetheless. On my journey of growth and development, I’ve unlearned so much of the conditioning that has come from my family and culture. However, I’m surrounded by people who seem to be mentally enslaved and perpetuating cycles in their lives. My empathy comes from once having been there and knowing there’s a path forward. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re stuck and like your life is outside of your control. There’s conditioning around money which is largely tied to scarcity. Read More>>
Tracey Kennedy
I don’t feel as though I developed empathy. As humans, I feel like we are all born with the love of God. For me, that’s means, we are all born with kindness, compassion, light, love, mercy, grace, peace, joy. As we grow, we are conditioned through the experiences of the adults around us to lose our ability to empathize or heighten it dependent upon who raises us. Read More>>
Senna leith
Throughout my childhood and the start of my career, I have been surrounded by role models and family members that set a great example for me on how to be empathetic towards others. Those that are in your circle make you who you are, and I have been very fortunate to have lots of great people in my circle to learn from. Read More>>
Keithsha Mitchell
I am grateful for growing up in two very different environments, it’s made me who I am today. I tell people all the time, I had the best of both worlds growing up. I attended private schools and did not live in the best neighborhood. Seeing how imbalanced both worlds were, I identified who I wanted to be in both worlds for comfort. I have understood people, their differences and how to accept those differences even when it is not returned to me since I was a child. So I choose to live and lead a life full of love. I enjoy feeling good, and realize how much it means to others around me to have an aura that shines so brightly. A friend once said to me “you have a way of making everyone in your life feel loved.” I realize that it’s the one thing that I will always be able to share! Read More>>
