Last lesson, you learned about the three types of empathy and experimented with the well-wishing practice.

It turns out there are different parts of the brain associated with the three different types of empathy. In this lesson, you’ll explore empathy on a neurological level and reflect on a time you were shown empathy.

Watch as Daniel Goleman and Dr. Richard J. Davidson, Founder and Director of The Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explore the neuroscientific research relating to empathy.

Here is a brief summary of the video:

Cognitive empathy can be strengthened by working to better understand the rules of social engagement and common emotional reactions. To help develop emotional empathy (and cognitive empathy, to an extent) it may be beneficial to learn to interpret facial expressions more accurately. This can be particularly difficult for those who often struggle with maintaining eye contact.

An inability to make eye contact may also be worsened by the extensive use of electronic devices. Focusing on a screen during a meeting sends a message that you are disengaged and not tuned in to those around you. As a leader, it may be beneficial to have a note-taker during important meetings, so that you can be fully present.

Caring leaders are highly effective, much more so than leaders who are distant or aloof. Compassion training and meditation may help us nurture our empathic concern. By “expanding our circle of caring,” we can build upon the innate compassion we feel for our families and friends.

Think about a time in your life when someone helped you, even if it was several years ago. Perhaps at the time, you were not even aware that someone was helping you. At the time, you may not have felt you needed empathy. And perhaps you didn’t feel deserving of this help. Even so, this person still reached out. Chances are, this interaction was impactful and memorable because of the concern and care that person showed you.

Suggested activity: Write a letter, email, or text to the person who helped you. If you can, name the specific things this person did that were meaningful to you at the time and how it shaped who you are today.

Now watch this brief video clip of Daniel Goleman and George Kohlrieser, Professor of Organizational Development at the International Institute for Management and Development (IMD), discuss empathy and leadership. Dr. Kohlrieser describes a leadership development assignment called Lifeline of the Leader. In this practice, he asks leaders to reflect on five painful life events as well as five joyful life events and then tell another person the story of these events. Importantly, he asks the leaders to pay attention to what it feels like being on the receiving end of compassion from the person who is listening to them. He emphasizes that good leadership requires the ability to feel the full range of human emotions and to be able to offer and receive compassion.

Reflect on a time when you received empathy.

• What did they see in you and how did they help you?
• How did they tune in to you, especially your unspoken emotions?
• What did it feel like to be on the receiving end of someone else’s empathy?

If you did the suggested activity of writing a letter to this person, share a word or two about your reaction to this activity.

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