I’ve got the same routine most mornings. Some exercise a few times a week, get the kids up, get everyone settled in and eating breakfast and take the dog out for a walk. Before walking out the door, I see a collection of shoes for everyone in the family. This always reminds me of the importance of empathy.
Empathy is:
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
As a husband, father and manager, I have found it extremely helpful to keep empathy in mind every day. It’s far too easy to simply tell your kids or employees what to do in every situation. It’s far more challenging to try and put yourself in their shoes, understand their situation and help them to grow.
Next time you walk out your door to start your day, notice the shoes of your family members. Use this as a reminder to always try and put yourself in another person’s position before judging them, getting angry or making any rash decisions. If this one doesn’t
Here are a few great quotes on the topic of empathy:
And here’s an article about how empathy is an essential leadership skill: