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Why

"Leadership is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate to and connect with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives." - Oprah Winfrey
"Empathy is the very means by which we create social life and advance civilization." - Jeremy Rifkin
"In this time of economic hardship, political instability, and rapid technological change, empathy is the one quality we most need if we're going to survive and flourish in the 21st century." - Arianna Huffington
"We have to have a revolution so that all young people grasp empathy and practice it. This is the most fundamental revolution that we need to get through." - Bill Drayton

WHY WE NEED EMPATHY

The world is changing faster than ever before. To keep up--and to succeed--we need to change, too. We need to master empathy.

“The ability to understand what someone is feeling” – that’s the textbook definition of empathy.  But when put into practice, empathy means a whole lot more.  It means the ability to grasp the many sides of today’s complex problems and the capacity to collaborate with others to solve them; it means being as good at listening to the ideas of others as articulating your own; it means being able to lead a team one day, and participate as a team member the next.  In today’s rapidly changing world, everything that empathy means is critical to our success – at home, at school, and in the workplace.  Here you’ll find insights into why we think empathy matters, and we encourage you to share your own, too.

Connecting with Patients: The Basic Ingredient of Care

Why it's so important that healthcare professionals better connect with their patients.
Why it's so important that healthcare professionals better connect with their patients.
Weight: 
5.00

By Colette Herrick

Hands//Source: Creative Commons, Bryce Kapsha

Learning Service - What’s wrong with volunteer travel?

Daniela Papi discusses the importance of learning before helping in service-learning endeavors.
Daniela Papi discusses the importance of learning before helping in service-learning endeavors.
Weight: 
5.00

By Daniela Papi

Roman Krznaric and Brene Brown

Ready for a vulnerability hangover? Five ideas from Brené Brown

Empathy, Vulnerability, Shame and Failure
Empathy, Vulnerability, Shame and Failure
Weight: 
5.00

By Roman Krznaric

Drawing of children playing music together, which boosts empathy

Does Playing Music Boost Kids’ Empathy?

A new study suggests it does, at least when practiced in a group.
A new study suggests it does, at least when practiced in a group.

By Greater Good Science Center

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