The War for Kindness: Why Empathy Is a Superpower with Jamil Zaki, Psychology Professor @ Stanford

Empathy is one of the most powerful tools we have for survival, leadership, and connection.

In this episode of Don’t Be a Jerk, Healey Cypher sits down with Jamil Zaki — Stanford psychology professor, empathy researcher, and author of The War for Kindness — to explore why empathy is under siege and how we can build it back, stronger than ever.

Jamil shares:

• Why empathy has declined 40% in the past few decades and why that’s reversible.

• How reading fiction can be a “gateway drug” for empathy.

• A simple tactic to de-escalate conflict (marriage fights included): list what you don’t know and what you already agree on.

• Why organizations that lead with empathy have lower turnover, more innovation, and stronger profits.

• How to move from a “warrior mentality” to a guardian mentality in leadership.

• Why nobody says hi… but everybody says hi back (and what that reveals about loneliness).

• The contagious nature of kindness and how to spark a ripple effect in your team.

• Why Jamil believes the empathy deficit is less about supply, and more about demand.

This is empathy with receipts: science, data, and tactical frameworks you can use today. Whether you’re running a company, managing a team, or just trying to argue better with your spouse, this episode is for you.