The Mindful Leader

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is crucial to our connection with others.

Empathy is fundamental to biblical leadership. Fundamental.

Red letter words: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). Jesus seems to be rooted in Leviticus 19:18.

Jesus take on this emphasizes the importance of empathy in our interactions with others. By putting ourselves in another person’s shoes, we can better understand their perspective and treat them with kindness and respect. A Disney movie song suggests we actually discover what we do not know by walking in the shoes of the other.

Empathy requires active listening and paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues. It requires us to set aside our own biases and judgments and truly try to understand the experiences and emotions of others.

In “Letters and Papers from Prison,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “The first service one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.”

Bonhoeffer highlights the importance of listening as a key component of empathy. By listening to others, we create space for them to share their thoughts and feelings, and show that we value their perspective.

Empathy is a crucial aspect of leadership and decision-making. By understanding the needs and perspectives of others, we make more informed and equitable decisions.

In her book, “Dare to Lead,” Brené Brown writes, “Empathy is not about fixing people’s problems, it’s about connecting to their emotions.” Empathy is not about solving other people’s problems, rather creating a connection and showing we care.

Empathy can also help to bridge divides and promote understanding between different groups. By putting ourselves in the shoes of others, we can better understand their experiences and work towards finding common ground.

Empathy is a crucial element of human connection, compassion, and leadership. By actively listening and putting ourselves in the shoes of others, we can better understand their experiences and emotions, and treat them with kindness and respect. As Jesus said, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” By embodying empathy in our interactions with others, we create a more compassionate and equitable world.