How does career success and leadership all link to empathy? Is it a quality one possesses or a skill one develops? Empathy may not be generally noted in a CEO’s mode, or a military general, and it may be looked upon as a weakness to some, but empathy does not preclude a downfall in control or management. In fact, it is an intellectual exercise and an advanced quality of emotional intelligence. When working with people, the public, a state or a country, empathy understands that people have the same universal needs. Addressing those needs of the people and catering to those who need it with an open heart may be just the thing needed to produce results and success.
Empathy is feeling the other deeply, as one in the same, and feeling the desire to alleviate the suffering of the other. Empathy is an action connected to the compassionate choice that ethics holds us responsible for. Mostly, politicians who promise to bring more hope back into your life and the world usually influence elections. Speeches that carry a message of unity and fairness to all are remembered. When these basic touch points are based in empathy, in other words, they appeal to the universal needs of humanity. Of course, following through is much more complex.
Imagine if you were able to relate to someone who works on a subordinate level as if they were your mirror. They could understand what you’re going through and reflect back to you what you are truly feeling. Wouldn’t this teach you about the importance of your needs, and help you feel complete joy and fellowship for the opportunity to share in meeting the other’s needs, whatever their station in life? Indeed, leadership can be a joyous, exultant experience when the leader is connected and in touch with those he serves.
Empathy is in language. Learn not only peaceful words, but HOW words connect us or destroy us. It is in the language you choose to speak that can transform your life and the life of others because its real message is meant to be sincere. Sincerity is felt not in words of rhetoric but words of truth. Empathy clarifies your most honest choices. Its power is based on the results of the harmonious cooperation around you.
Empathy is Poetry 