empathy

In a podcast interview I recently pre-recorded with Marie Miyashiro, one of the premier experts on empathy and author of The Empathy Factor, I was blessed with one of those a-ha! moments. In point of fact, my  conversation with Marie made me aware of another important reason why we all need to have more empathy. #Empathy is at the heart of great conversation. Click To Tweet And it’s especially true when trying to confront ideas in a civil manner. Rather than consider empathy as a way to “give in” to the other side or, more maliciously, to manipulate the other, empathy opens the way to understanding the other’s point of view. Thus, empathy gives us all the superpower to build bridges.

#Empathy gives us all the superpower to build bridges. @art_empathy Click To Tweet

In our chronically divisive society, I would argue that decent and civil conversation is the most significant need we could have. Conversation, where we’re able to listen to and exchange with one another, will be so vitally important to repair our society. Moreover, by infusing more empathy into our lives, we will become more authentic. As Marie says, “it’s about being real.”

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