The Empathy Edge

Today I speak with Jen Stark and Jarrid Green, Co-Directors, of the Center for Business and Social Justice. We candidly discuss how DEI and other topics became flashpoints and ideological hostages rather than sustained corporate efforts, and how companies can break this cycle.  We explore the questions executives and boards are asking, how companies can respond to activist shareholders and continue to promote fairness and equity while also fulfilling their responsibility to ensure strong financial performance - and why we're “beyond the business case” so we can adapt our narrative. Jen and Jarrid offer valuable advice on how everyone from the C-suite to DEIB and CSR professionals in the trenches can stay motivated and respond.  To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:You cannot be neutral anymore. Consumers want to know what their money will support and want to be value aligned.Be authentic with yourself - you need to understand why you are doing what you are doing.Lean into your smaller, individual communities. Mass media and social media information sharing is not enough. "We’ve left the era of case-making. There are enough data points, surveys, and white papers that if it is was just rational thought governing business decisions, you’d be in a different place." —  Jen Stark Episode References: Kerner Report: pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/bombshell-political-reportThe Center's Social Justice Guidebook: bsr.org/en/focus/equity-inclusion-and-justiceHow to Survive a Plague by David France: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/209900/how-to-survive-a-plague-by-david-franceSuffs: The Musical: suffsmusical.comFrom 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 Jen Stark and Jarrid Green, Co-Directors, Center or Business and Social JusticeJen Stark is a strategy development and implementation expert at complex health and humanitarian organizations with 20+ years of experience. She launched BSR’s Center for Business and Social Justice in 2022 alongside Jarrid Green to illuminate a path for companies to shift from performative to transformational actions with a focus on public policy engagement and influence. She is frequently cited in business press on flashpoint topics and is an advisor to Gauge.ai and GoFundMe’s Compassion Leadership Network. Jarrid Green co-designs and implements programmatic efforts alongside Jen Stark for the Center for Business and Social Justice, an initiative of BSR that seeks to mobilize companies to take systemic and intersectional approaches to their social impact efforts. Jarrid’s role includes developing research, thought leadership, frameworks, and capacity-building opportunities related to corporate social impact strategies.  He also provides collaborative oversight and direction for the Center’s organizational and administrative functions, and acilitates the execution of the Center’s ongoing corporate, civil society stakeholder, and donor activities.Connect with Jen and Jarrid:Business for Social Responsibility: bsr.org/en/collaboration/groups/center-for-business-and-social-justiceJen Stark LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenstarkJarrid Green LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jarridgreenmba 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!

This month's Hot Take is a bit of a hodgepodge. You're going to get the chance the tell me more about you and what you want to see on the show this year (and maybe share what you wish were different) - and I warn you: I'm gonna go on a bit of a rant about how we need to desperately stop moving backwards and band together to keep achieving progress - for ourself, our organizations, and our world. You may think I'm being political and ranty, but I am truly sharing facts - albeit yes, with my personal and professional opinion layered in for context.  I mean, that's why you love me, right?! My goal is to inspire you to think differently about what you are hearing and seeing and stay focused on moving forward. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Ambition, competitiveness, bravery, and strength are all key human traits. They do not need to be labeled as masculine or feminine. They belong to everyone.Sharing opportunity does not remove anyone else's opportunity. It opens the doors for more people and greater success for all.All this backlash to DEI,  empathy, and emotional intelligence is a mere distraction to the last dying gasp of an old-world leadership paradigm. "That is what inclusion means: a place where you don't have to pretend to be something you're not. A place where everyone has the opportunity and access to grow and contribute - and yes, feel safe doing so." —  Maria Ross Episode References: Listener Feedback! Please fill out the short survey here at https://bit.ly/edge-feedbackHuffPost: Mark Zuckerberg Praises 'Masculine' Corporate Energy Amid Meta's DEI Policy ReversalEdie Falco Reads a Letter to White SupremacistsInc: The U.S. Economy May Be Too Strong for Its Own GoodThe Center for Public Integrity: New data shows why the U.S. needs more immigrantsAdvocate: Apple, Costco stand behind DEI programsHR Grapevine: 'Doubling down' | Costco ties its colours to the mast as attacks on DEI continueFrom 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 the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: 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!

When we have information to give, the communication doesn't start and end with just one email, announcement, or conversation. Effective communication is more than just the info you deliver, or the words you say. It requires empathy. This is a note for anyone needing to communicate strategic shifts, return-to-work policies, performance expectations, or even layoffs.Tamsen Webster and I discuss why her work is driven by her desire to only do things once! How the risk of change belongs with the person or organization asking for it, how to understand the why behind how people approach change, and the first step in building buy-in that most people skip. She shares why leveraging pain is almost always guaranteed to fail long-term and how it’s almost always possible to find common ground (and if it’s not, to have a way to identify those differences clearly and without judgment). To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Every decision has a story. Every action or change we decide on has won the argument even if it is only internal.It is important to understand the story, the heart of the message, surrounding the conversations about change.Pain is the ally of quick action, but a brain in pain is not a rational brain. Once rationality is resumed, those decisions are often reconsidered.If people don’t understand what you’re saying it doesn’t matter how powerful or important what you are saying is. "Anchor the outcome of the change in something that you fully acknowledge and you share with the person that you're talking to." —  Tamsen Webster Episode References:Tamsen Website: Why Great Stories Are Empathy MachinesDia Bondi: How to Ask Like An AuctioneerSarah R. Moore: It’s Possible to Parent AND Lead without Punishment- the Brain Science Behind ItFrom 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 Tamsen Webster, Message Designer and Author, Say What They Can't UnhearPart message designer, part English-to-English translator, part magpie, Tamsen Webster helps leaders craft their case for large-scale change. In addition to her work in and for major organizations such as Harvard Medical School, Fidelity Investments, and Klaviyo, she’s a judge and mentor for the Harvard Innovation Labs, a professional advisor at the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship, and has spent over 10 years as the Idea Strategist for one of only nine legacy-level TEDx events in the world. She was named to the Thinkers50 Radar in 2022 and is the author of two books, Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Big Ideas Irresistible and Say What They Can't Unhear: The 9 Principles of Lasting Change. She lives in Boston with her husband, two sons, and two brindle Greyhounds, Hazel and Walnut.Connect with Tamsen:  Website: messagedesigninstitute.comBook: Say What They Can't UnhearLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tamsenwebsterFREE RESOURCE: The Compact Case, designed to help people apply the principles of Say What They Can't Unhear to their own case for change. thecompactcase.com.Connect with Maria:Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: 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!

What do you do when striving to be a more human-centered leader or colleague, trying to advance your career, build your skills, and make a difference, and you're stuck with an imperfect leader, dysfunctional culture, or too much work? You start by leading yourself!Today, Elizabeth Lotardo and I discuss making the most of a job that’s not your dream job. Elizabeth shares why management is harder than it was 10-20 years ago, and how to work best with imperfect bosses of all kinds. We touch on how to advocate for yourself with empathy. She shares talk tracks and mindset shifts to help you navigate how you can influence controlling the controllable and put yourself back in the driver's seat. She also shares a 10-second Jedi mind trick to shift complaining employees into accountable problem solvers! To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:It’s not your job to make someone else more empathetic. It is your job to control your reactions and the behavior that you’re modeling.It’s about leading yourself - not just in your career, but also through your career which includes new jobs as you choose.Even with all our faults, we, as humans, need one another. As you lead yourself, don’t forget those around you. "If you are working for a human being, you’re working for an imperfect boss." —  Elizabeth Lotardo Episode References:Rhonda George-Denniston: Why Betting on Your People Leads to Market DominationElizabeth's HBR Articles:How to Work for a Boss Who Always Changes Their MindHow to Be a Purpose-Driven Leader Without Burning OutFrom 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 Elizabeth Lotardo: VP, McLeod and More and Author, Leading YourselfElizabeth Lotardo is a consultant, writer, and online instructor who helps organizations drive emotional engagement. Her new book, Leading Yourself: Find More Joy, Meaning, and Opportunities in the Job You Already Have has been called a refreshingly candid playbook that helps you create a work experience worth loving, right now.With an undergraduate degree in advertising from Boston University and a Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Elizabeth works with senior leaders, frontline managers, and entry-level teammates to create more purpose-driven work experiences. Her clients include Salesforce, DraftKings, Hilton, and numerous Berkshire Hathaway organizations.She is also a popular LinkedIn Learning instructor. Elizabeth writes for Harvard Business Review and her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and NPR.Connect with Elizabeth: McLeod & More: mcleodandmore.com Personal Website: elizabethlotardo.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elizabethlotardoBook: Leading Yourself: Find More Joy, Meaning, and Opportunities in the Job You Already Have (Despite Imperfect Bosses, Weird Economies, Lethargic Coworkers, Annoying Systems, and Too Many Deliverables) Connect with Maria:Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: 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!

You've heard me talk about Both/And leadership and about Both/And business models. The ability to balance mission-driven, social impact work with sustainable profit and growth AT THE SAME TIME. It is possible, and it's not just a theory. Today, we talk with Jonathan Beck, someone who knows this firsthand. Today, Jonathan and I discuss the tension between purpose and profit and how to recognize if you are in a growth vs. survival mindset. He chats about how to integrate compassionate and impact-driven business practices while building a business and making a profit, how nonprofits can scale personalization to drive more impact, and how to leverage innovation to make a difference. Jonathan peels back the curtain on the surprising con being run by many leading CRM players on nonprofits and how we can create a marketplace of meaning. Finally, he shares how WeGive successfully models values such as transparency, honesty, and accountability to gain trust and build relationships that benefit the company and the customer at the same time. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:In a non-profit organization, your donors are your customers. You should have an ideal donor in the same way that for-profit organizations have ideal clients. It’s not enough to just say “We need your help.”Non-profits are often so busy taking care of their mission and purpose that they forget to take care of their internal team. You must steward your own culture while trying to save the world.No matter the size of your organization, as a leader, you must model accountability and vulnerability with your team. This allows others to take responsibility for what they bring to the table.How to increase engagement is not a mystery. It all comes back to creating an environment where people know their contribution and perspective matters."Giving is going digital. Consumer expectations are that they have an incredible digital experience. It’s about trust and communication. It’s about a purchase of identity, ultimately." —  Jonathan BeckFrom 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 Jonathan Beck, Founder/CEO, WeGiveJonathan Beck is a seasoned software and financial technology entrepreneur with a strong foundation in faith-based initiatives. After successful ventures in Silicon Valley, including as a founding team member for the global digital payments solution PayStand, Jonathan returned to his roots to make a meaningful impact in the nonprofit sector. He founded WeGive, a SaaS platform that empowers nonprofits and faith-based organizations with cutting-edge fundraising and donor engagement tools. With a passion for supporting mission-driven causes, Jonathan leverages his expertise to help organizations grow, engage supporters, and maximize their impact.Connect with Jonathan:  WeGive: wegive.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathanbeck1  Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: 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 here every 3rd Thursday, or visit CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.Kim Bohr and anthropologist Aaron Delgaty, PhD dive deep into the "arrival fallacy" - the pervasive belief that happiness and fulfillment lie just beyond the next project deadline, quarter, or milestone. Drawing from extensive research on workplace dynamics, they explore how four essential elements - continuity, reciprocity, purpose, and hope - shape our working relationships and overall job satisfaction. Through the lens of anthropology and organizational behavior, they examine why we fall into patterns of perpetually postponing contentment and how this impacts everything from team dynamics to bottom-line business outcomes.The conversation weaves together insights from Gallup's research on employee engagement, real-world examples of boundary setting, and practical strategies for breaking free from the "things will get better" cycle. You will be challenged to have honest conversations about work relationships and learn why misalignment isn't always about bad management. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Having honest conversations with yourself and others is crucial for maintaining healthy working relationshipsThe four essential elements of working relationships are: continuity, reciprocity, purpose, and hopeSetting clear boundaries is vital for sustainable work practices and personal wellbeingMisalignment in work relationships isn't always about bad management - sometimes it's about fitEven introverts need to talk about workplace challenges to create positive change"The arrival fallacy is like balancing on a one-legged stool of hope. You might maintain it temporarily, but you're operating on an unsustainable promise of 'someday.'" - Aaron Delgaty, PhDAbout Aaron Delgaty, PhDAaron Delgaty, PhD, is a cultural anthropologist and ethnographer. He received his doctorate in cultural anthropology from the Univeristy of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2020. His research explores what shapes worker and workplace resilience and how resilience resists, crumbles, or reforms in the aftermath of personal and collective disaster. In addition to teaching research methods and anthropological theory, Aaron leads research for brand strategy agency TSC.About SparkEffectSparkEffect 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 Aaron Delgaty, PhDThe anthropology of work: aarondelgaty.comTSC:  tsc.chatAaron’s Book: Working Relationships: Crisis and resilience at the heart of employee experienceLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adelgatyConnect 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/kimbohr Connect with Maria:Get Maria's new book: TheEmpathyDilemma.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my 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!

Can genius and empathy coexist or are we doomed to put up with tortured, erratic leaders to find breakthroughs? People cite examples of temperamental, even bullying, genius leaders who create toxic workplaces and use their ability to unlock innovation as an excuse for their damaging behavior. My guest today, Taryn Voget, debunks this myth, shows us what genius is all about, and how empathy serves as a catalyst for genius.Today we discuss what genius is and why it's not simply about being born with it. Taryn shares the link between genius, spirituality, and empathy - and some unique ways leaders have leveraged empathy to achieve innovative insights. She shares how genius actually works and offers you tips on how to enhance your and your team's genius in the workplace. You will leave today's episode inspired to embrace and cultivate your own genius. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Genius is a verb, it is not something you can measure on a test.Effective engagement and genius happen when you try to see things from the other person's point of view and address those goals, fears, needs, expectations, and aspirations.Are you excited as a leader? The energy you bring will be the energy that the team feels. If you’re not operating from excitement, how can you expect your team to be?"Genius is activated through excitement, because that is the driving engine that creates continuous improvement, getting better over time." —  Taryn Voget Episode References:Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth GilbertThe Empathy Edge podcast: Denise Roberson: Mistakes Leaders and Boards Make When Thinking About PurposeFrom 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 Taryn Voget: Founder, EveryDay GeniusTaryn Voget is a leading expert on genius and the founder of Everyday Genius, a media and education company that unpacks the strategies of genius from the world’s top minds. Through her engaging and relatable videos and podcast, Taryn shares these strategies with actionable insights that help people fast-track their growth and unleash their genius.Known for her dynamic talks on genius, innovation, passion, purpose, and business, Taryn inspires audiences to think bigger and aim higher. She’s the author of six books on the strategies of genius (plus a memoir!) and works with individuals and organizations to uncover and amplify their unique genius.Taryn's clients include industry giants such as SpaceX, Disney, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gap Inc., Genentech, and many more.Connect with Taryn:Everyday Genius: everydaygenius.tvTaryn Voget Consulting: tarynvoget.comX: x.com/tarynvogetLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tarynvogetFacebook: facebook.com/tarynvogetInstagram: instagram.com/tarynvogetYouTube: youtube.com/@tarynvoget Connect with Maria:Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: 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!

When did soft skills like empathy become deprioritized in the tech industry? My guest today shares a little history lesson on how that happened and why initially those soft, human skills were always a vital part of successful innovation and technology before they got separated. Only now are they finding their way back to each other in software development and programming to solve the 21st century's most complex challenges. Today, I talk with Andrea Goulet. We talk about how soft skills like empathy lost favor in technology curricula,  and how she built her business centered around empathy before it successfully merged with another company. She talks about the research she uncovered on programming models that parallel human communication. And we discussed why the current AI landscape is moving so fast but that her models can be used to ensure we intentionally apply empathy to deal with long-term consequences while still gaining short-term benefits. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Investing in empathetic communication will positively impact any team you’re on. Having a good understanding of empathy drives any industry.80 to 90% of our miscommunications happen at the concept level because you can say something and someone can understand the word but might think of it as a different thing.The four dimensions of human communication and our ability to pivot and understand one another are: catch, collect, connect, and communicate. "Whether we're talking about software,  building pyramids, or finding new ways to hunt and take down the mammoth, empathy is the mechanism that enables us to communicate, collaborate, and solve complex problems together." —  Andrea Goulet Episode References:Ilana Ben-Ari: How The Empathy Toy is Changing the WorldFrom 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 Andrea Goulet: Co-Founder, CorgiBytes, Founder, Empathy in TechAndrea Goulet is on a mission to integrate empathy into the software industry. She is a sought-after international keynote speaker, experienced software executive, and award-winning industry leader. Her expertise centers on using empathy and effective communication to modernize legacy and mission-critical software systems.Through her online courses, Andrea has taught over 50,000 students how to level up their empathy and communication skills to create better software. She is the author of the forthcoming book, Empathy-Driven Software Development, and the founder of Empathy in Tech, an online community where code and compassion connect.Connect with Andrea:Website: andreagoulet.comEmpathy in Tech: empathyintech.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andreamgouletHer coming book: Empathy-Driven Software Development Connect with Maria:Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: 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!

Your culture is shaped by models, expectations, and accountability. It's not enough to have pretty values statements up on the wall if they are not a part of everyday interactions internally and externally. But simply telling your people to "be nice" can be its own risk. What does nice actually mean? How is it different from the skill of empathy or the impact of kindness? You may be surprised to learn why simply being nice can be risky and why empathy and kindness are more practical values to model and reward.My guest today is Mikaela Kiner, founder, CEO, and executive coach. We discuss the risk of being nice and how it can hamper connection and results. Why and how to expect kindness from everyone you work with - from colleagues to partners to clients. How clarity is kind - and leads to better results. Mikaela shares tips on making more space to practice listening and empathy and the tradeoff you make when you claim you "don't have time" to build those connections with your employees. And Mikaela shares why two big-empathy, high EQ execs from two of the largest tech giants in the world are her all-time favorite clients. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Helping people figure out if they’re in the right role is empathetic. Forcing someone to stay in a role because it’s “nice” isn’t empathetic. People tend to think short-term, but we need to consider long-term investment. Putting time into your team will help with retention, which will save time in recruiting and training later. Schedule less in your day. Then, when a team member reaches out or an emergency happens, things will feel less frantic and frustrating, which leads to greater empathy.Think of tactics as a team that will help your organization feel less busy and less frantic by scheduling in buffer time.  "Something that so many people forget is that you can have really healthy, non-adversarial conflict. We can disagree, we can speak our minds, we can hash things out in a way that isn't nasty or argumentative." —  Mikaela Kiner Episode References:The Empathy Edge Podcast: Justin Jones-Fosu: How to Respectfully Disagree - and Not in a Passive-Aggressive WayI Respectfully Disagree by Justin Jones FosuFrom 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 Mikaela Kiner, Founder & CEO, ReverbMikaela Kiner  is a founder, CEO, and executive coach. Her company Reverb helps organizations create healthy, inclusive cultures. Prior to Reverb, Mikaela held HR leadership roles at Northwest companies including Microsoft, Starbucks, and Amazon. She enjoys coaching leaders at all levels and working with mission-driven organizations. Mikaela is the author of Female Firebrands: Stories and Techniques to Ignite Change, Take Control, and Succeed in the Workplace. Her young adult children are good at challenging the status quo and are a constant source of learning and laughter.Connect with Mikaela:Reverb: reverbpeople.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikaelakinerInstagram: instagram.com/mikaela_firebrandBook: Female FirebrandsOnline Training: Practical Skills for Great People Leaders: reverbpeople.com/services/leadership-development/on-demand-management-training Connect with Maria:Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: 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!

Imagine a world where compassion is the norm. This is the world I'm trying to build with my work. In this final Hot Take episode of 2024, I talk about the importance of humanity, compassion, and empathy in all aspects of our lives and businesses and remembering those things that matter most as we go into 2025. With clear statistics from the 2024 Businesssolver State of Workplace Empathy report showing increased loneliness, toxic workplaces, and higher mental health challenges, it’s key that we fight against these negative trends by embracing our values, modeling them, celebrating them, and rewarding them in whatever sphere of influence we have. We fight by disproving the false belief that you can't be empathetic and successful or impactful at the same time. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Business is just another way we humans interact with one another. We should be able to be whole people wherever we are in the world. However, we move about it, and with whomever we choose to interact. We cannot “go gentle into that goodnight,” as poet Dylan Thomas once wrote. Human connection, empathy, and compassion are worth fighting for. Embracing empathy is how we will change the cultures of toxic workplaces and improve mental health."I invite you to be part of turning the tide - speak out, and model empathy and compassion whether you're with your kids, on social media, stuck in traffic, or, yes, at a budget meeting at work." —  Maria Ross Episode References: Get a volume discount on multiple copies of The Empathy Dilemma for employees, Colleagues, partners, clients, or customers: Check out both Book Passage and Porchlight Books at www.TheEmpathyDilemma.com. For brand customization or a custom landing page for fulfillment, please contact me directly and I'll take care of you with Porchlight: https://red-slice.com/contact/A Force for Good: The Dalai Lama's Vision for Our World  by Daniel Goleman2024 Businessolver State of Workplace EmpathyApple TV series SeveranceRelated Articles:3 Observations About Compassion from the Dalai LamaHow Purpose Leads to Company SuccessEmpathy for Others Starts with Empathy for Yourself From 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 the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: 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!