The Empathy Edge

The skills and sensibilities we needed in the industrial age are no longer working. But according to my guest today, Saqib Rasool, we are approaching skills development as if we were machines - just sprinkle some knowledge or insert some new information and BAM we will transform our leadership style. Instead, he offers a different way to navigate these new skills and improve performance.Today, we discuss how the leadership paradigm has changed and why our approaches to skill development often fail, because they rely on people fitting into rational machine models - which they do not! We discuss examples of how one crucial mindset shift works better,  and why breakdowns are not a bad thing, but an opportunity for leaders to shift their mindset, engage in tough conversations, and listen to what is important to others  - thus building the new leadership skills you need to succeed. We discuss how even the field of change management has changed and how you can shift from “power over” leadership models to “power with” models that lead to better results.To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode at TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Humans don’t give feedback; machines give feedback. Humans give opinions, both good and bad.The most dangerous and unproductive leader is the one who believes they have nothing else to learn.Be willing to set aside what you believe as true. Breakdowns can only be solved by being willing to hear the truth, no matter what it is. "Even in industrial environments, the value is created in our ability to coordinate action with each other in conversations, to deal with breakdowns with each other, and to really see possibilities for innovation might exist in the breakdowns." —  Saqib RasoolEpisode References: The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms by Nassim Nicholas TalebFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.Saqib Rasool, CEO, ConceivianSaqib is a serial entrepreneur, coach, and author. Starting his career at Microsoft, he later built several startups and founded a start-up accelerator. Saqib’s passion for cultivating leaders and entrepreneurs led him to study human potential, teamwork, innovation, entrepreneurship, and communications. Saqib has coached countless changemakers to unfold their potential, see the breakdowns ripe with opportunities, and set bold missions. He lives in the Seattle area and travels globally for work.Connect with Saqib:Conceivian: conceivian.com X: x.com/SaqibRasool LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/saqibrasool Facebook: facebook.com/saqibrasool Instagram: instagram.com/saqibrasoolofficialConceivian's Emerging Leaders Program. A Revolutionary Approach To Building Leadership,  Management, and Communication Capacities for Upward Mobility In Career & Performance in Enterprises: conceivian.com/elp Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemaria

Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge.Tune in to our subseries every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge! Or check us out at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.After overwhelming listener response to our AI and coaching conversation, Kim Bohr and Rod Bacon reconvene to address burning questions about executive coaching misconceptions. This deep dive challenges the outdated view of coaching as "leadership rehab" and reveals its true power as a strategic growth amplifier.Rod dismantles the "scarlet letter" stigma, sharing how vulnerability creates strength and why interview-based stakeholder feedback provides "X-ray vision" into leadership impact. The conversation explores why executive presence is an inside job, how the forgetting curve undermines training investments, and why coaching transforms information into embodied leadership behaviors.Whether you're justifying development budgets or seeking authentic growth, discover why combining training with coaching multiplies ROI and how modeling vulnerability builds cultures of continuous learning. To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.Key Takeaways:Executive coaching is a growth amplifier, not leadership rehab – top performers use it proactivelyInterview-based 360 feedback reveals not just what happened, but organizational ripple effectsExecutive presence isn't about gestures – it's about embodying confidence and claiming your seatUp to 90% of training content is forgotten within a week without coaching reinforcementVulnerability-based leadership creates psychological safety and models continuous growthTraining fills knowledge gaps; coaching ensures application and integrationThe most powerful transformations focus on one or two needle-moving changes"We're going to see it as a growth amplifier… when people get coaching, they're able to look at their strengths, what's potentially getting in the way of accelerating those, and really grow." —  Rod BaconAbout Rod Bacon: Rod Bacon serves as Chief Coaching Officer at SparkEffect, developing world-class executive coaches and working with C-suite leaders across healthcare, pharmaceutical, and technology industries. His philosophy that vulnerability enables true strength has guided transformative leadership development worldwide.About SparkEffect: SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through tailored assessments and expert coaching, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.Connect with Rod Bacon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwbacon/Website: sparkeffect.com/about/rod-baconConnect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffectSparkEffect: sparkeffect.comCourage to Advance recording and resources: sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffectLinkedIn for Kim Bohr: linkedin.com/in/kimbohrConnect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemaria

While multiple studies show that we are experiencing mental health crises, burnout, and stress at alarming levels, I don't have to tell you that you're feeling it. It impacts your ability and your team's ability to perform at the highest level. To innovate, problem solve, and focus. Some workplace stress is a given, but what about the stress we can control? The stress caused by a culture and a leader who refuses to recognize our humanity? The leader who does not value empathy, connection, well-being, or psychological safety as a way to empower their people to achieve success.Today, I talk with Marisol Solarte-Erlacher about the price you pay for toxic and psychologically unsafe cultures and how that impacts business performance. We discuss why chronic stress is an issue, how it impacts leadership and performance, and what it looks like to put employee well-being at the center of your business strategy. Marisol shares how to make the culture shift in your own team to prioritize well-being in meaningful ways, not just surface-level perks. She offers three questions you can ask your team to discern if they feel psychologically safe, and she shares how you can make the business case for well-being so your people can thrive and your company can achieve its goals.To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.Key Takeaways:The pandemic gave everyone the ability to pause and actually question if the way we have always done things is the only or best way to do things.Being in a constant state of stress takes a long-term toll on our bodies and health.Do assessments with yourself and your team to understand what the biggest stressors are at any given point.To assess psychological safety, you can ask three questions: What are the things in the workplace that cause you the most stress? How do you handle those? How do you ask for help? "This is about the long-term investment of your culture for the overall well-being and sustainability of your organization." —  Marisol Solarte-ErlacherEpisode References:The Empathy Edge podcast:Rebecca Friese: How to Build a “Good” CultureAnna Liotta: Understanding Generational CodesFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About Marisol Solarte-Erlacher, Trauma Expert and Resilience ConsultantNamed one of Colorado's Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business, Marisol Solarte-Erlacher is a trauma expert, resilience consultant, and licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience helping organizations build cultures where both people and performance thrive, while hosting the award-nominated podcast 'Resilience and Resistance,' featuring successful Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color who have overcome trauma to become resilient leaders.Connect with Marisol:Email: marisol@marisolerlacher.com Website: marisolerlacher.com Instagram: instagram.com/marisol_resilience_expert  Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemaria

Empathetic leadership drives engagement, performance, and innovation. It's a fact. Yet post-pandemic, leaders are struggling to balance the needs of their people with the demands of the business and their own mental health. This livestream session with empathy expert, speaker, author, and podcast host of The Empathy Edge, Maria Ross, will enable leaders from the Director to C-suite to build high-performing teams, align their work with their values, and find success in the new world of work.The audience will gain:DEFINE what empathy means in a work context and clarify confusing terminology. Bust common empathy myths that hold leaders back.DISCOVER how empathy helps you do good while doing well financially: Empathy is not just good for the world, but it can be a competitive advantage. We'll walk through the financial & organizational benefits of acting with empathy, and how you can persuade others in the organization to do the right thing.EXPLORE what empathy is - and more importantly, what it is NOT.DISCOVER the Five Pillars of Effective and Empathetic Leadership to better balance the needs of the business with the needs of your people.To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.Key Takeaways:Empathy requires great strength to be able to take on someone else's point of view without fear or defensiveness.We can access empathy through two angles - cognitive and affective (or emotional) empathy.Why managers need to create a human connection with their teams.In today’s digital world, connection is more important than ever. It is a key to experiencing empathy. "You need to be very firmly grounded in who you are, what you believe, and your own self-confidence to open yourself up to other points of view. Empathy is anything but weak; it's a strength." —  Maria RossEpisode References: Sign Up Here for PeopleFoward Network: https://bit.ly/pfncommunityThe Empathy Edge Podcast:  Daina Middleton: How to do Layoffs with Humanity, Inclusion, and Compassion Dr. Michelle Zhou: Empathic AI is Real and It’s Here - But We Need Everyone Involved! Dr. Cori Lathan: Benevolent Cyborgs and a Techno-Optimist’s View on TechnologyFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About PeopleForward Network: We exist to help all people experience meaningful work.We imagine a world where leadership and people-first leadership are synonymous.PeopleForward Network provides innovative podcasting, communications, and partnership services for people-first leaders to impact meaningful work.From podcast production and distribution to creative services and growth consulting, PeopleForward Network’s mission is to share resources and insights with its global community of leaders, connectors, and creators to inspire and build workplaces where people thrive.Connect with Jason Cochran & PeopleForward Network:  Website: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jason.Cochran LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasondcochran/  Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemaria

How can we balance performance and purpose to sustain growth? Well, look no further than a successful non-profit for the answer to that! And while your organization may sell anything from software to shoes to services, you can indeed leverage a clear, co-created purpose to ignite performance. And you can embrace empathy for employees or customers who are nothing like you in order to do it.Today, Shilpa Alva shares the powerful childhood experiences that led her to this work, with a stopover in corporate America, where the skills she learned now serve her very well in the non-profit world. We discuss what her shift from corporate culture to the non-profit world was like, and how she balances mission with results, like 70% growth! She talks about values versus process and why values light the fire, so your people will achieve results. Shilpa shares how they co-create solutions with local partners, gathering input from everyone to get the most impactful ideas, and offers a great model for clearly communicating back those final decisions to increase buy-in. To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.Key Takeaways:We are all part of a shared humanity and are way more alike than different. Exposure to different perspectives can help build your empathy muscle.Partner with the community, don’t just assume you know what is best for the community.The organization and structure that got you to where you are today is not going to be the same one that gets you to your wildest, most audacious goals.Bring all stakeholders in your ecosystem together in the vision to make your goals a reality. "You keep your values and your foundation strong so that it doesn't shift. But then you use those values to guide you in achieving your goals." —  Shilpa Alva Episode References: Joy McBrien of Fair AnitaThe Empathy Edge podcast: Heather Hiscox: The Surprising Empathy Gap in Social Impact That Hinders ChangeFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About Shilpa Alva, Founder & Executive Director, Surge for WaterShilpa Alva is the founder and Executive Director of Surge for Water, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the cycle of poverty through access to safe water and sanitation solutions. Since its founding 15 years ago, Surge has impacted hundreds of thousands of people in 12 countries. Shilpa's journey didn’t start in the International Nonprofit world. After graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a Chemical Engineering degree, she joined the corporate world and earned her MBA from the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota. After a successful corporate career in Supply Chain Management, she made the bold choice to follow her purpose and live fully in alignment with it. She went from running the organization on nights and weekends to going all the way in!Connect with Shilpa Alva Surge for Water: surgeforwater.org LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shilpa-alva-858b841  Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

My guest today, Steve Durbin, shares why empathy, agility, and resilience are vital to managing risk and keeping your organization secure. Steve shares the biggest threats to organizations right now and how empathetic leaders foster the resiliency needed to adapt. We discuss how CISO's and risk officers can create an empathetic culture where trust and transparency flow to help protect the organization. Steve shares how letting go of control can keep you safer, and how curiosity and listening help you communicate in ways people understand. He candidly shares that CEOs who don't understand empathy are a risk. And finally, Steve offers ways to balance a culture of experimentation and empowerment with effective risk management. To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.Key Takeaways:When assessing risk, people are your greatest risk, but they are also your greatest asset and your greatest opportunity for solutions. It is not the machine or the algorithm that will solve your risk problem; it is your people. You risk losing your best people if you’re not willing to adapt to what needs to be done for the best of your organization, employees, clients, and other stakeholders. "You increase awareness by explaining why people need to be aware, why they should care, and you may have to make it personal." —  Steve DurbinFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About Steve Durbin: CEO, Information Security ForumSteve Durbin is Chief Executive, Information Security Forum (ISF). His main areas of focus include strategy, information technology, cyber security and the emerging security threat landscape across both the corporate and personal environments.He is a frequent speaker and commentator on technology and security issues, and, since 2016, the host of the ISF Podcast.Formerly at Ernst & Young, Steve has been involved with IPOs, mergers and acquisitions of fast-growth companies across Europe and the USA. Having previously been senior vice president at Gartner, he has advised a number of NASDAQ and NYSE listed global technology companies.Steve has served as a Digital 50 advisory committee member in the United States, and he has been ranked as one of the top 10 individuals shaping ow organizations and leaders approach information security careers. He has also been featured on the top 20 most influential list of leaders whose companies have a vision that shapes the conceptual landscape of their respective industries.Steve is a Chartered Marketer, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Forbes Business Council Member and a lecturer at Henley Business School, where he speaks on the role of the Board in Cybersecurity.Connect with Steve:Information Security Forum: securityforum.org X: x.com/securityforum LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stevedurbin YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCyTu0HsWQd_ucrt0Zo0042A  Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

How do some leaders show up, almost effortlessly, with a proactive point of view and clear messaging? I'd bet you money that for most, it's a matter of intention and skill-building, not just natural talent! The ability to balance warmth, confidence, and competence is not just within reach for extroverts, either, according to today's guest.Today, Laura Camacho and I talk about what executive presence means (it's not just how nice your suit fits!), how empathy relates to executive presence, specific challenges for more introverted leaders to increase their empathy, and what the C-suite is looking for to promote someone internally. Laura shares that the true purpose of executive presence is to help others have confidence in YOU as a leader, and she shares some tools on how to be clearer and empathetic in your messaging, as well as tips to mentor others, especially introverts. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:You have to be both a storyteller and a data driver. It is not a hard binary. Even the most analytical people are driven by emotion.If you are stressing about saying something badly, say it anyway - it likely won’t be bad, and you can always course correct on the off-chance that it is.Prepare in advance to speak out in meetings about your domain. Be prepared to speak up early and with structure. "Connection, competence, and confidence - you need all of those. You cannot have executive presence without empathy." —  Laura CamachoFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About Laura Camacho, Executive Presence Coach:Laura Mixon Camacho, PhD, is an executive presence coach. When leaders communicate with authentic executive presence, it builds a healthy culture with a better bottom line.From her deep dive research into luxury brand messaging, winning political campaigns, and neuroscience, she takes a bespoke approach to teaching highly intelligent high-performers how to connect, engage, and inspire people to improve business outcomes and build culture.Her articles on influence and culture have been regularly featured in several publications, including Forbes, The Southern C, Lionesses of Africa, and Training Industry.She is also author of the Cultured Communication Workbook and The Practical Guide to Effective Communication. Her podcast, Speak Up with Laura Camacho, is ranked #2 in the world for communication skills podcasts and is in the top 2.5% of all podcasts in the world.Connect with Laura:Mixonian Institute: speakupwithlaura.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauramcamachoInstagram: instagram.com/speakupwithlauraExecutive Presence Mastery System: a 90-day intensive coaching program to prepare mid-level managers for senior leadership: speakupwithlaura.com/executivepresence Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge.Tune in to our subseries every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge! Or check us out at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.As AI revolutionizes how we work, what makes human executive coaching irreplaceable? Kim Bohr sits down with Rod Bacon, SparkEffect's Chief Coaching Officer, to explore why transformative leadership breakthroughs happen through human connection, not algorithms.Rod reveals what he calls "sacred pressure" in coaching relationships – the ability to create breakthrough moments through presence and challenge blind spots in ways AI cannot replicate. This conversation explores the neuroscience of trust-building, why discomfort drives growth, and how mirror neurons enable coaches to move executives from stress to creative insight.Whether you're defending coaching investments or seeking authentic development, discover why trust acts as a "force multiplier" in organizations and how vulnerability-based leadership creates the psychological safety teams need. To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.Key Takeaways:Biological synchronization between the coach and the executive creates conditions for transformationAI can ask questions, but cannot synchronize nervous systems or create a calming presenceGrowth requires "sacred pressure" – productive tension that human coaches apply with precise timingTrust acts as a "force multiplier," enabling innovation, agility, and resilienceWithout trust, teams make false commitments in meetings but have real conversations elsewhereMirror neurons enable coaches to regulate nervous systems, moving executives from stress to creativityThe future is leveraging both AI efficiency and irreplaceable human wisdom "Trust is the new strategic capital...it's the interstitial connections which holds everything together." —  Rod BaconAbout Rod Bacon: Rod Bacon serves as Chief Coaching Officer at SparkEffect, developing world-class executive coaches and working with C-suite leaders across healthcare, pharmaceutical, and technology industries. His philosophy that "personal growth is professional growth" has guided transformative leadership development worldwide.About SparkEffect:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.Connect with Rod Bacon:  Website: sparkeffect.com/about/rod-bacon/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rodbacon/Connect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffectSparkEffect: sparkeffect.comCourage to Advance recording and resources: sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffectLinkedIn for Kim Bohr: linkedin.com/in/kimbohrConnect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

Years ago, I was introduced to a former Marine and FBI counterintelligence officer whose job was to recruit spies to help protect our country. His secret weapon? Empathy. Finding out what is important to someone so that they can then build trust and find shared goals.Robin Dreek joins us again today to talk about his latest book, Unbreakable Alliances: A Spy Recruiter's Authoritative Guide to Cultivating Powerful and Lasting Connections. He shares the four keys to communication and the difference between inspiration, influence, and manipulation. He shares the behaviors of trust required to inspire people to feel safe. We talk about how to engage empathy to inspire people to open up, share their context, and forge those unbreakable alliances. Finally, Robin shares a great definition of active curiosity and what it can do for both your relationships and success. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Every little word and emotion matters.You have to balance the dichotomy of vulnerability and confidence.Four keys of communication: seeking the thoughts and opinions of others; talking in terms of challenges and priorities that other people are dealing with; non-judgmental active curiosity; and empowering people with choice.We need to be asking better questions - focus on what they want to share, not what you want to ask."Active curiosity is taking it to the next level - don’t just be curious about what it is you want to know, but be curious about what it is they want to share." —  Robin Dreeke Episode References: The Empathy Edge podcast: Robin Dreeke: Spycraft and the Leadership Code of TrustFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About Robin Dreeke, Executive Coach, Speaker, Former FBI, and Author, Unbreakable AlliancesRobin Dreeke is an accomplished Executive Coach, Best-Selling Author, and Professional Speaker with an impressive background. As a Marine Corps Officer and retired FBI Special Agent, he served as Chief of the Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program, where he honed his skills in Recruiting Spies and Behavioral Assessment. Today, Robin has translated his expertise into his unique Interpersonal Communication Strategies that focus on Recruiting Allies in business. Since 2010, he has been working with Executives, Corporations, Entrepreneurs, the Military, and Law Enforcement to help them Forge Trust, Solve Challenges, and Lead. Robin's People Formula has helped countless individuals and teams achieve quick, measurable results and maximum success. Whether you're a newly promoted leader, executive, sales team member, or customer relations specialist, Robin's proven strategies will help you excel.Connect with Robin:Website: robindreeke.comX: x.com/rdreekeLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rdreekeFacebook: facebook.com/ForgedbyTrustInstagram: instagram.com/rdreekeBook: Unbreakable Alliances: A Spy Recruiter's Authoritative Guide to Cultivating Powerful and Lasting ConnectionsConnect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

Today’s episode is a little more personal. A reflection. A struggle.Because lately, I’ve been wondering: Is empathy under attack? And if so, how do we as leaders, parents, citizens—and humans—continue to lead with empathy in a world that sometimes seems to mock, punish, or politicize it?So today, I want to pull back the curtain and talk about what it’s like to do this work, and why—despite it all—I continue to fight for empathy at work, in leadership, and our culture at large.Let’s dive in. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:In a chaotic world, cruelty often gets mistaken for strength. Empathy is not about coddling and indulgence but about the courage to pause and listen, not to react.Three small but powerful steps to resist the tide of cruelty and amplify empathy instead: model it, name it, protect it."Empathy is not weak, naive, or political. It is what allows us to build trust, resolve conflict, and create workplaces where people—and performance—can thrive." - Maria RossEpisode References: FREE upcoming 2-day virtual leadership event with me! Let's have a chat first and see if this aligns with your goals and where you are right now. Visit www.TheEmpathyEdge.com/event to sign up for a time.VAST InstituteRobert Reich's Substack article, ”Trump, Musk, and The Empathy Bug”: https://robertreich.substack.com/p/trump-musk-and-the-empathy-bugListener Feedback! Please fill out the short survey here at https://bit.ly/edge-feedbackFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today. Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!