When you think of emotional intelligence, there are still many leaders out there who falsely believe it has no place in business. Business is about logic, not emotions, right? Wrong. How can being aware of yourself and others not have a place in an environment where relationships are everything?My guest today is Robin Hills. He defines emotional intelligence and its core components, the role motivation and empathy play, and why AI won't take over anytime soon. He talks about resilience and shares strategies to manage stress and weather storms in the workplace. Finally, Robin shares a fascinating take on the Intelligence of Emotions and what useful information can be gathered when we learn to properly read emotions - both our own and those of others - so we can move forward and succeed. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Emotional intelligence is more than just the emotions themselves. But the emotions are what make us human. Leave the working without emotions to AI. When humans communicate and empathize with each other, we change each other in the processes, modifying the neural pathways in the brain. That interaction cannot happen in the same way with a robot. Emotional intelligence is always a work in progress. Whether you started studying it today or have been studying it for your entire life, there is always something more to learn.  "Emotions drive our thinking, emotions drive our decision making, emotions drive everything that we do. Without emotional intelligence, we really are going to be just like the robots." —  Robin Hills Episode References: Free Newsletter: Ei-Matters.comThe Empathy Edge: Dr. Michelle Zhou: Empathic AI is Real and It’s Here – But We Need Everyone Involved!The Empathy Edge: Miniter Dial: How to Embed More Heart Into AIAbout Robin Hills, Director of Ei4Change, Business Psychologist, and Emotional Intelligence TrainerRobin is the director of Ei4Change, a company specializing in educational training, coaching and personal development focused around emotional intelligence, positive psychology and neuroscience. He has taught over 400,000 people in 195+ countries how to build resilience,and increase self-awareness and understanding of others. Robin is the author of 2 books and has through his work developed the experiential coaching methodology Images of Resilience to support cathartic conversations around resilience. He has delivered keynote speeches at conferences across the world including at Harvard University and sits on the North West Committee of the Association of Business Psychology.Connect with Robin Hills:Ei4change: ei4change.com X: twitter.com/Ei4Change LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robinhills Facebook: facebook.com/EI4Change Instagram: instagram.com/ei4change Robin's Courses: courses.ei4change.info/collectionsDownload this free guide: Developing your Emotional Intelligencecourses.ei4change.info/courses/free-bookBook: The Authority Guide to Behaviour in Business: How to Inspire Others and Build Successful RelationshipsRobin's course on empathy: Understanding EmpathyJoin the community and discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.comPRE-SALE SPECIAL! Pre-order 1 to 99 copies of Maria's new book, The Empathy Dilemma for your leaders, exec team, (or yourself?!) and GET 30%! https://bit.ly/TEDSpecialPresale Offer ends August 27, 2004! 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: @redslicemaria

The book is coming! September 10 is the day that The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal Boundaries hits shelves to help leaders dedicated to people-centered practices to get the best performance possible and balance the demands of the business with the needs of their people.I am so excited to share this with you! For the next 5 months, I'll be devoting a Hot Take episode to one of the 5 core pillars of effective empathetic leaders, outlined in the book. See, I emphasize EFFECTIVE because it's not just about being empathetic - you have to actually perform, deliver, and get results, too. You as a leader can and must balance empathy with accountability. And today we're going to talk about the first pillar to accomplish that…Self-Awareness. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Humility and empathy go hand in hand. You have to let your ego go and embrace your curiosity to learn and grow. Some ways you can become more self-aware include: requesting input from teammates and colleagues, leveraging self-assessment tools (such as the Enneagram, DISC, or Myers Briggs), and learning to listen deeply.You can pre-order now through August 27, 2024, to get 30% off your copy of The Empathy Dilemma  for stories from leaders, and recommendations for tactics to try to put these strategies into practice and benefit from the results.  "Self-reflection is not woo-woo; it's a smart strategy. You need to cultivate a deep and ever-evolving understanding of your people, as well as of yourself." —  Maria Ross Episode References: Check out The Empathy Dilemma pre-sale for 30% off until August 27, 2024: https://bit.ly/TEDSpecialPresaleFind out more about the book and (soon) download a free chapter sneak peek: http://www.TheEmpathyDilemma.com Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.comConnect 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: @redslicemaria

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called out an epidemic of loneliness and highlighted how workplaces are one way to help. How can people get their needs for connection and recognition met in appropriate ways at work? And how does this impact the overall performance of the organization?I dug into these questions and more with Logan Mallory. Today, we talked about why he is so passionate about this work and how his empathy for his customers comes from being a customer himself at one time! We discussed why employers and employees are having so much conflict right now, what leaders can do to improve the employee experience, and simple ways to create an above-and-beyond culture. We talked about how your company can create a Gratitude Flywheel and got real about the short shelf life of "surface perks,” why a more consistent culture is required, especially in dispersed or hybrid environments, and why a workplace can help support community and connection to keep us mentally healthy. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Communication and transparency are two of the pillars to understanding one another’s perspectives. Without that clarity in understanding, there cannot be effective empathy.People want to be recognized and they want to recognize their peers. According to a Motivosity survey, 75% of people said that their mental health would improve if they were recognized at work more often.The higher you are in your organization, the less you know about what’s going with your teams and customers creating an iceberg of influence. This is the same for the good and the bad. Put systems in place to help bridge this gap. Good culture is different for everyone. What leadership in a company needs to do, with input from their team, they need to decide what those values are going to be. When you state who you want to be, that is empathetic for your employees and new recruits.  "We have people that are burnt out, people that are disengaged, you have a mental health crisis in the US. And maybe one of the easiest things employers can do is empower their people to say Thank You more often." —  Logan MalloryEpisode References: The Empathy Edge podcast episodes:Rebecca Friese: How To Build A “Good” CultureShasta Nelson: Why Successful Leaders Encourage Work FriendshipsClaude Silver: Leading with Heart at Vayner MediaMotivosity survey infographic, showing how gratitude leads to better mental health at work.The Happiness Advantage by Shawn AchorAbout Logan Mallory, VP Marketing, MotivosityLogan Mallory is the Vice President of Marketing at the leading employee recognition software, Motivosity. Mallory is a public speaker, adjunct professor, and thought leader on culture and leadership in the workplace to achieve employee retention. Motivosity helps companies create winning cultures by focusing on gratitude and connection at work. Mallory's wife, four kids and poodle are all his favorites.Connect with Logan Mallory:  Motivosity: motivosity.com X: twitter.com/LoganMMallory LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/loganmallory Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009422255617 Instagram: instagram.com/motivosity Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

Could YOU or YOUR company survive if you had to live and work with your customers and coworkers? Hearing every bit of praise, every complaint, and every...everything? That's what life is like for the cruise industry, where crew and customers live together for weeks in the middle of the ocean. And it's why my guest today, Paul Rutter,  helps land-based companies apply the lessons he's learned from the cruise ship industry to create exceptional customer experiences.Today, we talk about what he learned about both customer experience and culture from working in the cruise industry, and how to ensure your employees are supported so they can show up with the right attitude and deliver great customer care. We discuss what to look for in hiring, how to empower employees to solve problems right away, why gossip is a culture killer, the importance of top execs getting in the trenches, and the link between empathy, innovation, and risk-taking.  Paul even shares how to deal with extreme customer disappointments - like weddings canceled due to hurricanes - and how empathy helps turn those experiences into lifetime customer value, loyalty, and referrals. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Hire for attitude. Skills can be trained (and training is so, so important and should be done regularly), but without the right attitude having the right skills won’t matter. Learn about and celebrate the differences of those onboard your team. You need to take care of your employees and they will take care of your customers. You want your employees to be your raving brand ambassadors. If you’re in the C-Suite, take time to work how your lower-level employees work each day. It is important for the employees to see and for the executives to know what your employees are dealing with every day.  "We have one goal on board a ship. That's it. And it should be the goal of all of your listeners as well: Create such an exceptional experience that exceeds expectations that they will come back because they've had such a great experience." —  Paul RutterAbout Paul Rutter, Chief Experience Officer:After three decades as a global cruise director who lived with his team and clients, speaker, trainer, and author Paul Rutter knows that “perfect” is just a starting point. He knows that with today’s abundance of options for customers, every single experience they have is critical to running a successful business. Paul helps companies around the world set a standard for unmatched customer service.Recognized by USA Today, ABC, NBC, MarketWatch, and FOX, Paul Rutter is a customer experience expert, speaker, bestselling author, and founder of the More Than Perfect™ service model.  Paul is the author of the bestseller You Can’t Make This Ship Up, a hilarious look at the lessons he’s learned at sea and now applies to land-based businesses.  He is also the creator of the strategic guide, Repeat Business Inc: The Business of Staying in Business.Connect with Paul Rutter:  Smooth Sailing Communication, Inc: PaulRutterSpeaks.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/parutter Instagram: Instagram.com/PaulRutterSpeaks Book: You Can't Make This Ship Up; Business Strategies, Life Lessons and True Stories From 40 Years at SeaJoin the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

Marketing often relies on a lot of "tricks" to reach people in this noisy world. But we have an opportunity to be more intentional and responsible in our marketing  - and when we do, that leads to increased customer engagement, loyalty, and yes, profit.Today, I talk with Kat Kennan about trauma-informed marketing and how we can rethink the way we promote our offerings. We talk about what trauma-informed marketing means, why brands need to pay attention, how to avoid cancel culture, and how to rethink old marketing models and get away from fear-based messaging. We discuss how trauma can show up for your customers, where you can take a pause and adapt, and some great tips on easy ways to start infusing more empathy into your marketing to boost your customer's perception of your brand.  To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Fear-based marketing techniques are going to continue to get diminishing returns. As businesses, we need to move beyond personas and really connect with our customers. Over 70% of people have experienced at least one major traumatic event in their lives. In thinking about the pandemic, we are now looking at 100%. Empathy is a bottom-line issue. 97% of customers say that empathy is important to their customer loyalty. You need to have a pretty nimble and agile group of decision-makers that can adapt and adjust campaigns on the fly based on real-time events. "It's encouraging marketers to just take a pause before they send something out to think about how it might feel or how it might read." —  Kat Kennan Episode References: The Cancel Culture Checklist: Go to Kat's website radicalcustomerexperience.com & use code MARIA30 to enjoy 30% off the 1st 3 months. Check the website for all details.The Empathy Edge episodes:Charna Cassel: Recognizing Trauma at Work - Yours and OthersMelina Palmer: Why Your Customers Can't Tell You What They WantBrigette Iarusso Disrupting Toxic Business Models in the Online SpaceLindsay LaShell: A Marketing Activist Blends Purpose & ProfitUncommon GoodsOreo's responsive Super Bowl campaignBrand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About Kat Kennan:Kat Kennan is the Founder and CEO of Radical Customer Experience™️, a groundbreaking consulting firm that encourages brands to establish genuine connections with their customers by embracing strengths-based, trauma-informed, and inclusive marketing services. With a passion for empowering individuals and driving positive change, her mission is to help brands speak up, speak out, and foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in their customer interactions. As a certified trauma-informed professional, Kat brings a crucial perspective to her work, infusing every aspect of her business ventures with a deep understanding of the human experience.Kat’s unwavering commitment to creating a more inclusive and empathic world have earned her recognition and respect within the marketing and trauma-informed community. She is leading the charge in revolutionizing the way businesses interact with their customers, leaving a profound impact on the industry and society as a whole.Connect with Kat:  Radical Customer Experience: radicalcustomerexperience.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/katkennan Facebook: facebook.com/rcxconsulting Instagram: instagram.com/katkennan Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

My guest today, Charles Gellman, is the CEO & Co-founder of HiDO Health and he has leveraged empathy from his own health experiences into AI-assisted robotics that will alter the future of medicine and healthcare. Charles is an outgoing data scientist with a Masters in Clinical Informatics, an accomplished speaker, and one of the top voices on AI-assisted robotics, digital health, and the impact on care.Today, he shares his personal story and shocking statistics on the big and costly problem of inaccurate home health care. We discuss how AI-assisted robotics can impact emotional well-being and why empathy is not going away because of all this new technology. We even take a detour and talk about how to ensure that leaders who succeed passionate founders possess the same empathy for customers and commitment to purpose. Finally, we discuss the importance of empathy to understand both providers and patients and help them alter behaviors to improve health outcomes. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:When selecting a successor as a leader, you want to make sure they are aligned with the vision and mission, not just capable of running the business side of things. Providers struggle to get care to everyone. Patients struggle to communicate their needs. AI can help to bridge that gap and allow for better communication. Around $300B is wasted each year on medications not being taken as prescribed. HiDO is using AI to help reduce that and make life easier for patients, caregivers, and physicians.  "One out of four patients in the US have chronic care diseases. More than 10% of the population have some type of caregiver responsibilities. We have a health care system, where we are solely dependent on people at home to care for themselves. How is that working out for us?" —  Charles Gellman Episode References: AARP, Caregiving in the United States 2020PubMed, National trends in prescription drug expenditures and projections for 2023The Empathy Edge podcast, Ron Gura: How Technology Helps People Navigate Grief and LossBrand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About Charles Gellman, CEO, HiDO Health:Charles Gellman, MSHI is the CEO & Co-founder of HiDO Health, where AI-assisted robotics will alter the future of medicine and healthcare. An outgoing data scientist with a Masters in Clinical Informatics, he is also an accomplished speaker with 100+ podcast interviews scheduled for 2023 from notable university professors, leading researchers, and forward-thinking podcast hosts. NIH-funded research in collaboration with Stanford and Rush Universities. He is one of the top voices on AI-assisted robotics, digital health, and its impact on care.Charles was recently featured in a full feature documentary, "AI Robotics... The HiDO Story." He publishes his analyses regularly in the newsletter, "The Future of Care."He is a former advisor for StartXMed and has worked in various executive roles at Startups as well as Fortune 500 companies. He received an MSHI degree from University of California at Davis, Medical School.Connect with Charles Gellman:  HiDO Health: https://www.hidohealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mshicgellman/ HiDO Summary Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljnFImTNpwg Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

I've often said that many entrepreneurs get their business ideas from practicing empathy. From either experiencing a pain point themselves or wanting to solve a pain or provide a benefit to an audience who needs it. Today, we talk to one such start-up entrepreneur, Shizu Okusa, the Founder and CEO of wellness company Apothékary.Today, Shizu shares her entrepreneurial journey from Wall Street to wellness, and how many of  her leadership and product philosophies are inspired by her Japanese heritage. We discuss why self-awareness is key for founders to be successful for the long haul and specific examples of how Apothékary creates an empathetic culture devoted to her employees' and customers' well-being. We discuss the number one reason many leaders can't embrace empathy - to their own detriment. And Shizu shares how they gather customer feedback as well as how they make remote work more personal and collaborative. Finally, Shizu offers her advice to other leaders and entrepreneurs looking to lead with empathy.  To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Self-awareness is key to being an effective leader. You can’t have the space in your brain for empathy, creativity, and listening if you don’t know where you are at. Rather than having a maximum number of vacation days, consider setting a minimum number of vacation days to support your team and encourage them to take care of themselves. Empathy is consumer psychology in the business world. It is sometimes seen as a soft skill, but compassion and business success are not mutually exclusive.Surveys are a great way to gather information from your customers, but if you don’t take action on that data, that data is wasted.  "The CEO’s job is to provide the healthy oxygen for your team to breathe in." —  Shizu OkusaEpisode References: The Ranch, Malibu, CaliforniaThe Empathy Edge podcast episodes referenced:Melina Palmer: Why Your Customers Can’t Tell You What They WantCarrie Melissa Jones: Building Successful CommunitiesEmily Vernon: Are You Gathering the Right Customer Insights?Aransas Savas: Forget Journey Mapping: Define a More Valuable Customer ExperienceSandy Thompson: How to Make People Fall in Love with Your BrandBrand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About Shizu Okusa, Founder and CEO, ApothékaryShizu Okusa is a Wall Street alum-turned-wellness entrepreneur. After leaving an intense finance career, she became inspired to live a more balanced lifestyle and revisit her Japanese roots and passion for herbal medicine. Shizu set out to help others regain their holistic health using traditions she grew up with and ones she learned along the way. Now, she proudly leads Apothékary in its mission to deliver natural herbal remedies that get to the root cause of health issues rather than masking the symptoms.Connect with Shizu Okusa:  Apothékary: https://www.apothekary.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shizu-okusa-87a25415 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apothekaryco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apothekaryco/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUlZ43PITt9RsTJNZX1F6JQ Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

Burnout is one of our biggest workplace challenges. Turnover and lost productivity due to burnout cost businesses $322B globally. Voluntary turnover costs 15+% of a company’s payroll annually. Most employees will seek out workplaces that support mental health in the future, showing the importance of these benefits in employee retention.Today, I chat with Amy J. Wilson. We talk about how burnout is the biggest obstacle blocking us from empathy, what burnout is and its symptoms, where it comes from, and how it is especially a challenge in traditional care professions but can impact any of us in any organization. We discuss the difference between compassion fatigue and empathic distress. Amy also shares the Four Rs framework for healing from and preventing burnout. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Burnout is preventing people from feeling empathy. It applies blinders that keep people from connecting with those around them. Modeling is more effective than telling. You can model empathic behavior even in the face of adversity. Curiosity is the first step in empathy. Burnout stops us from making that connection with someone else’s and their story. "People think of burnout as a mental health condition, but it isn't defined as a mental health condition as currently in the DSM. I think it has an origin in our own personal abilities and conditioned responses,  but at the same time, it is a product of the system around us that often prioritizes profit over people." —  Amy J. Wilson Episode References: The Empathy Edge: Amy J. Wilson: Leadership’s Larger Duty And Avoiding Empathy Deficit DisorderJamie Greenwood: Why Empathy for Others Starts with Compassion for YourselfArticles on empathic distress:Rob Volpe: “Which Is It? Empathic Distress or Compassion Fatigue?”Adam Grant: "That Numbness You're Feeling? There's a Word for It"Amy J. Wilson: “What Makes Us Human”Brand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About Amy J Wilson, Founder and Guide, Healing for WorkAmy J. Wilson believes in the power within each of us to shape the future we want to have—a future with more awareness, compassion, connection, and love. They specialize in building and sustaining compassionate cultures that can hold change so that individuals and the organization can thrive. They have challenged the status quo and redesigned systems centered on empathy and equity in action at more than a dozen organizations with thousands of people within the private and public sectors. Amy is the bestselling author of Empathy for Change: How to Build a More Understanding World with language and frameworks to evolve individuals and organizations to meet the realities of today and reimagine a better way forward. Amy founded Healing for Work, a community and program rooted in scientifically-proven ways for individuals to overcome burnout and improve workplace well-being. Through the Empathy Action Lab, they work with ambitious, purpose-driven organizations or entrepreneurs to design communities & movements with more empathy, to tell powerful stories, and to advance collective action.Connect with Amy J. Wilson:  Empathy for Change | Healing for Work: healingforwork.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/healing-for-work Instagram: instagram.com/healingforwork/ Learn more about Amy’s FREE Burnout Support Sessions at: healingforwork.com/join Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

We are experiencing a transformation, an evolution in how we lead and what makes a successful leader. Today, I had a great conversation with Alain Hunkins, CEO and author of Cracking The Leadership Code: Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders about the common leadership assumptions that can get people into trouble, the obstacles we face in how to connect, the three secrets of strong leaders, and how we can communicate better. He shares the story of how one leader went from being ranked at the bottom to achieving outstanding results by focusing on people first before the numbers and the work.Alain and I discuss what gets in the way of empathy, the role transparency plays in killing the old leadership paradigm, how employees got to the point that they have such low confidence in their leaders - and what we can do to reverse that - and he'll also share a great trick to ensure you are communicating effectively.  To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Studies show we judge ourselves by our intentions, but others by their actions. The old model of command and control leadership is a dying paradigm. Leadership must evolve - all leaders are now living in a glass house with the technology available. We no longer live in a world of information asymmetry. Numbers are neat and tidy, people are not. To lead people, you have to make the time to connect with your team empathetically not just look at the business numbers.Ask for a receipt in your communication. It doesn’t take much time, but it does increase understanding and clarity. "All leadership development is personal development, and all personal development is leadership development. Whether or not you have the job title, we all lead every single day." —  Alain HunkinsBrand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About Alain Hunkins, CEO and Author, Cracking the Leadership CodeAlain Hunkins helps leaders, teams, and companies achieve performance goals easier.     Over his twenty-five-year career, Alain has worked with over 3,000 groups of leaders in 27 countries, including 42 of the Fortune 100 companies. In addition to being an executive coach, leadership and team development facilitator and keynote speaker, Alain is the author of the book Cracking The Leadership Code: Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders.Alain is a faculty member of Duke Corporate Education and serves on the Academic Board of Advisors for the New Delhi Institute of Management. Alain’s work has been featured in Chief Executive, Fast Company, Inc., Training Magazine, Chief Learning Officer, and Business Insider. He’s also a monthly leadership strategy contributor to Forbes Magazine.  Alain was recently named #33 on the Global Power list of the Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership for 2023 by LeadersHum.  A father of two teenagers, he lives in Northampton, Massachusetts.Connect with Alain HunkinsHunkins Leadership Group: https://alainhunkins.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainhunkins/ Join the 30-Day Leadership Challenge! https://alainhunkins.com/30-day-leadership-challenge/ Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

Empathy is a superpower, yes, but what about those people you just truly believe are unbearable to work or talk with? I know someone is coming to mind for you. And how much more complicated does it get when you work for that someone, or they work for you?Today, I am delighted to share my conversation with leadership coach, speaker, and best-selling author Michael Bungay Stanier. Michael and I talked about the difference between leadership and coaching and the role empathy and curiosity play in those skills, why so many leaders misunderstand what coaching means, why rescuers create victims and the importance of learning how to listen. He shares the key to having Keystone Conversations to create a better working relationship. And he shares five questions that will help you build the best possible relationship with almost anyone - and why he says "almost!" Plus, we had a love fest for our mutual publisher, Page Two. Michael is a legend and as kind and generous as they come. Take a listen. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:There are six different leadership styles, and the greatest leaders know how to utilize each of them at the appropriate times. If you're a leader, your job is to help figure out what the right stuff is to work on, and then help get the best people to do their best work working on the stuff that matters.Rescuer behavior appears to be empathetic and kind, but it’s actually being nosy and it hurts more than it help others in adult-to-adult relationships. You are doing the work of leading when you’re doing the work of self-care and self-reflection. "I do believe…that every working relationship can be better. If you could make all of them 10-15% better, that would make a difference, because not just your success at work, but your happiness at work is dependent on the quality of your working relationships." —  Michael Bungay StanierEpisode References: The Empathy Edge podcast: Shasta Nelson: Why Successful Leaders Encourage Work FriendshipsAccountability and Empathy (Are Not Mutually Exclusive) by Ed BatistaPage Two PublishingBrand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About Michael Bungay Stanier:Michael Bungay Stanier is best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century and recognized as a classic. His most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, shows how to build the Best Possible Relationship with the key people at work. Michael was a Rhodes Scholar, and was recently awarded the coaching prize by Thinkers50, “the Oscars of Management.”Connect with Michael Bungay Stanier:  MBS.works: https://www.mbs.works/ X: https://www.twitter.com/mbs_works LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbungaystanier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mbs_works-113849977032317 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbs_works Book: How to Work with (Almost) Anyone: Five Questions for Building the Best Possible RelationshipsCheck out a FREE Video example of Michael’s Keystone Conversation at: https://bestpossiblerelationship.com/ Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

Resilience might be eligible for word of the year. You hear it everywhere you go. We talked a lot about resilience during the Pandemic. How do we bounce back and adapt?One definition of resilience is “The capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.”Clearly, we need to embrace resilience as human beings. In a chaotic, unpredictable world where the only constant is change, you might drive yourself mad if you cannot adapt.But more importantly, how is the skill of resilience strengthened, taught, or learned?Today I share two examples from my childhood on how I learned resilience that I hope will not only enlighten you, but entertain you. (HINT: One involves my theater geek high school days!) To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Practice having a growth mindset - it is not about being externally praised, it is about your innate desire to practice and improve and look at what can be tweaked to change the outcome on your next attempt. Learn from those losses in your life. You can process the grief of losing but still embrace the opportunities in front of you. Try anyway! Even if you don’t have all of the boxes checked for whatever you’re aiming to do, try anyway, you may surprise yourself with what you do accomplish.  I learned from moments like that to process my grief over what I'd lost, but embrace what was in front of me - and make it my own. —  Maria Ross Episode References: Dinah Manoff from Grease: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001503/ Growth Mindset: https://hbr.org/2016/01/what-having-a-growth-mindset-actually-means#Hypewomen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hype-women/id1704488532Greater Good, Five Science-Backed Strategies to Build Resilience: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/five_science_backed_strategies_to_build_resilience Brand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

Can allyship be fun? Or do you envision every inclusion or diversity training as a slog? It doesn't have to be so heavy-handed!Today, Jeannie Gainsburg shares why, as a cisgender woman, she became a strong ally. We tackle how to get over the heaviness and blame of allyship and focus on having conversations with an open heart. We discuss pronouns and why sharing your pronouns (even if they seem obvious) is a great ally action. She also offers the best ways to gather pronouns from others without making it awkward. We talked about what being out and authentic at work looks like. Finally, Jeannie shares a few concrete tips and policies for creating a more LGBTQ+ inclusive workplace.Her encouraging, passionate, and warm-hearted approach will surely jumpstart even the most tentative ally.To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:There are many causes to fight for - just pick one and start going. Fighting for rights for one, is fighting for rights for all.People want to learn, so encouragement, not judgment, is critical.We all use pronouns all day, every day. It doesn’t only affect those who are transgender.  "Being an ally is an ongoing journey of messing up. We need to get comfortable with and understand that. Don’t let the fear of messing up or not knowing the right word stop you from having conversations, and know how to apologize. Just have the conversations with an open heart." —  Jeannie Gainsburg Episode References: Daniel Jahn, The Empathy Edge Podcast: Racial Solidarity and the Psychology of RacismLeo Caldwell, The Empathy Edge Podcast: Why Anti-Trans Laws and Homophobia are Anti-BusinessWe Can Do Hard Things podcast with Glennon DoyleBrand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About Jeannie Gainsburg, Founder, Savvy Ally ActionJeannie Gainsburg is an educational trainer and consultant in the field of LGBTQ+ inclusion and effective allyship. She is the founder of Savvy Ally Action, a small business that offers fun, accessible, and encouraging workshops and videos on how to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Before forming the company, she spent 15 years working for the Out Alliance, the LGBTQ+ center in Rochester, NY.Her book, The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate, was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2020, with the revised 2nd edition published in March 2023.Jeannie has a BA in psychology from Brown University and an MA in social work and social research from Bryn Mawr College. She is the recipient of the Empire State Pride Agenda’s Community Champion Award and the Rochester LGBTQ Community Appreciation Award. In 2019, Jeannie also received a citation from the New York State Assembly for Distinguished Educational & Human Rights Services for her work in promoting LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion.Connect with Jeannie Gainsburg:  Savvy Ally Action: savvyallyaction.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeannie-gainsburg Facebook: facebook.com/savvyally Instagram: instagram.com/jeanniegainsburgauthor Book: The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate (2nd Edition)Bonus: 100% of royalties from 1st-year sales of the 2nd edition are donated to LGBTQ+ nonprofits working to create a more inclusive world!Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

Leaders, listen up: Have you ever heard the improv maxim, "Yes, and….?"In my work researching, writing, and speaking to audiences about the power of empathy, a magnet has pulled me to one notion that gets in the way in almost every dysfunctional workplace or societal conversation.Let me explain… To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Our brains both defend us and hold us back due to cognitive dissonance. We want only one thing to be true because it is more simple, but simplicity is not always the answer. Either/or thinking is broken and got us, as a society, into our current mess. Dialectics is understanding we can hold two, seemingly contradictory things, to be true at the same time. It is a concept that will strengthen our businesses and our lives outside of work.  "In our world and workplaces today, it no longer serves us to focus on either/or thinking. We must embrace BOTH/AND." —  Maria Ross Episode References: Improv's famous "Yes, and…"Discover more about the power of empathy and how to apply it to make a difference in your work and life at your organization or event!Psychology Today, Cognitive Dissonance: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/cognitive-dissonance Seeing things differently: Red Slice blog, Representation Matters: https://www.red-slice.com/representation-matters/ Red Slice blog, What Leadership Success Requires in Today's World: https://www.red-slice.com/what-leadership-success-requires-in-todays-world/ Behavioral Psych Studio, What the heck is a dialectic? https://behavioralpsychstudio.com/what-the-heck-is-a-dialectic/ Brand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

"You're so needy" - We say that like it's an insult sometimes, but yes, yes you are needy. Because you're human! And until we can learn to identify our needs, find the words to articulate them, and adjust our schedules and interactions on any given day to accommodate them, we are doomed to burn out and be more unproductive than we ever thought possible.My guest today is Mara Glatzel, author of Needy: How to Advocate For Your Needs and Claim Your Sovereignty. Today we discuss how high-achievers can identify and honor our own needs and how it helps us show up in the workplace as more empathetic leaders and better able to respond and perform iin healthy, creative ways. And how you can identify, center, and advocate for your needs in a world or workplace that is not aligned with your values Mara shares one way to be kind and generous to ourselves every day and talks about moving your relationship with yourself from a place of self-abandonment to self-partnership. Finally, we tackle how to balance your needs while avoiding selfishness - which is kind of a trick question, as you'll learn! To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Many people do not have a vocabulary for their needs - this is starting to shift, but it is still a work in progress. We lead by example - we need to take care of ourselves to show our staff that it is okay to take care of themselves as well. Everyone will benefit as more people take care of themselves.There is a multitude of directions our needs can take at any given time. With a little creativity, needs that feel out of reach, can be met within our current life restrictions.When we start our day, we should check in with ourselves first, not check our calendar and decide who we are going to be based on those expectations.  "You are the vessel for everything you do. All of your work comes through you. If you’re not in good working order, that automatically impacts the work that you’re doing." —  Mara Glatzel Brand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About Mara Glatzel, Writer, Teacher + Podcast HostMara Glatzel, MSW (she/her) is an author, intuitive coach, and podcast host who helps humans stop abandoning themselves and start reclaiming their humanity through embracing their needs and honoring their natural energy rhythms. Her superpower is saying what you need to hear when you need to hear it and she is here to help you believe in yourself as much as she believes in you. Find out more at MaraGlatzel.com.Connect with Mara Glatzel:  Website: https://www.maraglatzel.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maraglatzel/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maraglatzel/ Book: Needy: How to Advocate For Your Needs and Claim Your Sovereignty https://www.maraglatzel.com/book/ Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

How will AI transform leadership and work? Can we "delegate empathy" to it? Can we have empathic AI that fills a need we all have as humans? Today, I discuss all of this and the role of empathy in AI with my special return guest Minter Dial author of Heartificial Empathy, Putting Heart into Business and Artificial Intelligence, the 2nd edition, just released in 2023 to include all the latest AI shenanigans and progress.Minter shares his emotional leadership story about how 9/11 opened his eyes to his own priorities and how he wanted to show up as a leader. We discuss how to put heart into AI and three key questions leaders need to answer before investing in it. Minter shares use cases where AI can help us at a very human level, can help us create engaging customer experiences, and helps solve both the loneliness epidemic and the shortage of mental health professionals. We also muse on how AI is transforming leadership and work - and why we can’t expect perfection from a system if we can't be perfect ourselves!  To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Not everything needs to be told to everybody. You can still have secrets and still be authentic, vulnerable, and full of integrity. As humans, we are not perfect. We cannot create something and expect perfection from that without holding ourselves to the same level.The AI will only be as good as what you put into it. It is about intentionality and working with the AI, not just expecting the AI to do everything perfectly on its own.  "People tend to hold AI up to a higher standard than we hold ourselves up to. I find this to be a problem. [If we are expecting perfection] we are never going to get it!" —  Minter Dial References Mentioned:The Empathy Edge Podcast: Minter Dial: How Being Yourself Makes You a Better LeaderThe Empathy Edge Podcast: Paul Marobella: Leading Through CrisisBrand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About Minter Dial, Professional Speaker, Author & Filmmaker​Minter Dial is an international professional speaker, elevator and a multiple award-winning author. Minter's core career stint of 16 years was spent as a top executive at L’Oréal, where he was a member of the Worldwide Executive Committee for the Professional Products Division (PPD). Previously, he was MD of L'Oréal PPD Canada and CEO Worldwide for Redken. He's the author of the WWII biography and documentary film, The Last Ring Home (2016) and three business books, Futureproof (FT Press ​2017), You Lead (Kogan Page 2021), both of which won heralded Business Book Awards, and Heartificial Empathy, 2nd edition. He also runs three podcasts, Minter Dialogue in English and French, and The Joy of Padel.Connect with Minter Dial:  Mydial LLP: minterdial.com X: twitter.com/mdial LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/minterdial Facebook: facebook.com/minterdial Instagram: instagram.com/mdial Threads: threads.com/mdialBook: Heartificial Empathy, Putting Heart into Business and Artificial Intelligence (2nd Edition) DigitalProof Press 2023 Substack Newsletter: Dialogos, Fostering More Meaningful Conversations Podcasts:Minter Dialogue (in English and French)The Joy of PadelJoin the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

When you think about your company's DEI efforts, are formerly incarcerated people in that equation? Probably not, right? Most companies shy away from hiring returning citizens for fear they can't be trusted, will not deliver value, or won't show up. And you would be wrong.Today, Trent Griffin-Braaf shares his story, breaks apart negative stereotypes, and tells us about the many benefits of hiring such individuals. Trent explains how he saw transportation as a way to fight poverty and create more equity in employment, housing, and education in areas that need the most support.We talk about the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals in reintegrating into society and he shares the often overlooked impact of incarceration on mental health. But most importantly, Trent shares how your organization can support returning citizens in the workplace, what programs to put in place, and how to source this untapped, extremely loyal, talent pool, and why employing such individuals benefits your business and your community. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Transportation opens up many opportunities and paths for individuals to gain further education, increase pay opportunities, gain medical access, and, in many other ways, help to reduce poverty.For mental health, you need to understand what you need to show up - everyone is different and will have a different recharge. There is strength in that. Every person should live their life like a business - with mission statements, values, and ethics.  "Organizations need to identify what’s the real risk with certain crimes, then eliminate certain crimes if needed. But for most organizations, there should be no reason why they can’t work with you." —  Trent Griffin-BraafEpisode References: Chron: Programs that help former felons find jobsIndeed: Programs to help justice-impacted individuals get jobsWorkforce Development InstituteRe-entry WorksNational Urban LeagueCenter for Employment OpportunitiesBrand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About Trent Griffin-Braaf, Founder & CEO, Tech Valley ShuttleTrent Griffin-Braaf is the CEO and Founder of Tech Valley Shuttle.  He has grown his business from a hotel-based transportation agency in 2016 to a fully customizable company specializing in workforce transportation. He now owns two of the larger Black-owned businesses in the Capital Region. Trent has been highlighted in Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Forbes 1000, and the New York Times for his work. He was also recently named the 2023 SBA Upstate NY Small Business Person of the Year for expanding his ride services during the pandemic, filling a critical community need. Trent was formerly incarcerated, and since his release, he has dedicated his career to creating opportunities for others in the same position through Tech Valley Shuttle. His ultimate goal is to be a resource for others by shifting how organizations perceive and hire from underrepresented groups.Connect with Trent Griffin-Braaf:  Website: techvalleyshuttle.com & trentgriffinbraaf.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trentgb Instagram: instagram.com/iamtrentgriffinbraafX: twitter.com/TechValeyShutle Facebook: facebook.com/techvalleyshuttle Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

Benevolent cyborgs. Not a phrase you hear often these days. With all the hand-wringing and media fear-mongering about AI and new technologies, we seem to have lost the bigger vision of how technology can improve our lives. That's why today, I'm speaking with Dr. Cori Lathan, a techno-optimist who believes technology can be used to build empathy and connection. Today we discuss how Star Wars and a very creative 2nd grade teacher sparked her journey into innovation and invention, how technology is being used to build empathy and connection, why empathy makes a better design team, and the future of human-machine interaction.  To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Technology can be a tool to help children achieve developmental milestones and build empathy. The media will give the negative side of AI and technology because it gets better views and clicks. But great things are happening with technology that is helping to create a beautiful future. Designing tech is about more than what happens behind the computer screen. It is about understanding the user experience and what it means for your end user. "We are creating the future, someone isn’t doing it for us. We can create the future we want to see. We can choose the direction it goes." —  Dr. Cori Lathan Episode References: Dr. Cori Lathan's Book: Inventing the Future, Stories from a Techno-Optimist: https://inventthefuture.tech/Dr. Cori Lathan's TEDx Talk: Innovation, Empathy, and the Future of Human-Machine Interaction:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnV6QDhwvhkThe Empathy Edge Podcast: Ron Gura: How Technology Helps People Navigate GriefBrand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About Corinna Lathan + Founder and Former Board Chair and CEODr. Corinna Lathan is a technology entrepreneur who has developed robots for kids with disabilities, virtual reality technology for the space station, and wearable sensors for training surgeons and soldiers. She is a global thought leader in the relationship between technology and human performance and believes in a future of benevolent cyborgs! Dr. Lathan is Co-Founder of AnthroTronix, Inc., a biomedical engineering company focused on brain health, which she led for 23 years as Board Chair. and CEO. She developed one of the first FDA-cleared digital health platforms winning a prestigious Gold Edison Award.  She was named a Woman to Watch by Disruptive Women in Health Care, a Technology Pioneer, and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. She also Chaired the Forum’s Councils on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and Human Enhancement and Longevity. Dr. Lathan has been featured in Forbes, Time, and the New Yorker magazines and her work has led to such distinctions as MIT Technology Review Magazine’s “Top 100 World Innovators,” and one of Fast Company Magazines “Most Creative People in Business.” Dr. Lathan received her B.A. in Biopsychology and Mathematics from Swarthmore College, an M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from M.I.T.Connect with Dr. Cori Lathan:  AnthroTronix: www.atinc.com Twitter: twitter.com/clathan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clathan Instagram: instagram.com/drcoril Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

Welcome the final Hot Take of 2023! In this final Hot Take of the year, I'll share a bit about how to find joy in what can feel like a dark, bleak time in the world and what empathy calls us to be for others. And I share an anecdote from my 9-year-old son that prompted me to think about how some leaders are being a bit lazy when it comes to reaping the benefits of empathetic cultures.Have a wonderful holiday season and here's to more empathy, joy, and peace in our world in 2024!To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Empathy needs to be woven into the way we interact with each other, it cannot be outsourced to HR as the one person for empathy. Seek out ways to find ways to bring empathy, kindness, and joy into your own home, work, and community this holiday season and beyond. 2024 promises us another chance to engage, connect, and love. Let’s use it for those purposes and make creating genuine relationships one of our goals for the new year. "The point of empathetic leadership is that your team members know that YOU, their leader, have their backs, and see, hear, and value them." —  Maria Ross Brand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

How does trauma impact the workplace and organizational performance? If you're a human being, then yes, trauma impacts you and your team. Trauma doesn't care whether you're at work or not. Everyone experiences trauma differently in their brain and body. The solution is to create a safe and trusting environment for leaders to get curious about their people and for someone in distress to be able to get support. The important thing to remember is that this isn't a competition - no one's trauma is more or less "worthy" than another's.Today, my guest Katharine Manning and I discuss what is trauma, how it affects the workplace, how we can recognize trauma in others, and 5 steps to respond to a colleague, team member - or frankly anyone - dealing with trauma. She shares great examples of how we might brush things off or inadvertently let go of a great employee when we're not cognizant of trauma, what it means to be a trauma-informed organization, and three steps to creating one. This was a robust conversation and I know whether you are a leader or a colleague will get so much out of it to boost performance and engagement - while also supporting someone in need. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Any trauma will change us - we need to acknowledge that change, we can then embrace that new version of us.Trauma can manifest itself in different ways in different people. It can also be triggered by situations that, for some, may not be triggering and for others it’s life-shattering. You can make tough decisions and be a strong leader with empathy. Those are the best leaders with the most successful companies.  "Trauma isn't a jacket that you can just take off when it's time to go to work. We carry it with us and it affects how we show up…I want to get people away from trying to decide whether what you have gone through counts as trauma. Just focus on the person in front of you and what they need." —  Katharine Manning About Katharine Manning, President, Blackbird DC and author, The Empathetic Workplace Katharine Manning is the President of Blackbird DC, which provides training and consultation on empathy at work. She is the author of The Empathetic Workplace: Five Steps to a Compassionate, Calm, and Confident Response to Trauma on the Job, and teaches at American University and in the Master’s in Trauma-Informed Leadership Program at Dominican University. She has worked on issues of trauma and victimization for more than 25 years.References MentionedThe Empathy Edge podcast, Sarah R. Browne, It's Possible to Parent AND Lead without Punishment- the Brain Science Behind ItLinkedIn Article by Maria Ross: What Does Psychological Abuse at Work Look Like?Connect with Katharine ManningBlackbird DC: http://www.blackbird-dc.comBook: The Empathetic Workplace: 5 Steps to a Compassionate, Calm, and Confident Response to Trauma on the Job X: https://twitter.com/kl_manning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharine-manning/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpatheticWorkplace Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empatheticworkplace/Join to get weekly texts on empathy, leadership, and resilience: Text "blackbird" to 833-975-1945Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria

A military historian walks into a company and transforms their customer engagement strategy to increase revenue and retention. While this might sound like the start of a very strange joke, it's a true story. When searching for frameworks on how to better engage your customers with empathy, look no further than my guest today, John Southard.  Backed by more than 10 years of research built into his book, Defend and Befriend: The US Marine Corps and Combined Action Platoons in Vietnam, John has transformed the lessons from his historical research into a simple and proven empathy framework that companies can leverage to better understand customer needs - and we discuss that framework today, as well as examples each stage in action. We discuss why some leaders view the customer as the enemy and how that's hurting their growth, why simply responding to customer surveys is not the way to build engagement, and how your hiring decisions impact customer retention and engagement in ways you may not realize. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Exposure to groups other than yourself is the gateway to empathy. Getting into conversation is the first step to breaking false assumptions and realizing that both sides are human. A recent study shows that a lack of empathy from brands to consumers loses companies money, to the tune of $300M, every year.Cultivating communities and relationships with customers allows you to get feedback from them directly and build trust with those customers. When trying to find your differentiator - start with what your customers need, both overtly and covertly. It takes time, but the ROI is worth it and sustainable in the long term. "What unfolded is…the greatest unknown story of empathy, because these Marines show up and realize quickly, we have to live here, we have to abide by their rules, we have to understand their culture…because our personal survival literally depends on it. They lived a day in the life of these villagers to gain their respect." —  John Southard Episode References: The Empathy Edge podcast, Kara Goldin, On Undaunted LeadershipThe Empathy Edge podcast, Sandy Thompson, How to Make People Fall in Love with Your BrandBrand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story  - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About John Southard, Customer Engagement Expert, Speaker, AuthorJohn has a Ph.D. in U.S. Military History and is an author, speaker, and expert in customer engagement and empathetic leadership. He has applied his historical research on empathy to corporate America to build empathetic leaders and cultures and optimize customer and employee experiences. Backed by more than 10 years of research, John has transformed the lessons from his historical research into a simple and proven empathy framework that companies can leverage to better understand customer needs.Connect with John SouthardWebsite: Southard Speaks: https://www.johnsouthardspeaks.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsouthardhistoryphd/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/southardspeaksBook: Defend and Befriend: The US Marine Corp and Combined Action Platoons in VietnamJoin the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy 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: @redslicemaria