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EMPATHY
“Leadership is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate to and connect with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives.”
Oprah is a one-name powerhouse, one of the most recognised faces in the world and the greatest Black philanthropist in American history. Oprah has achieved great fame and fortune, but it’s based on her ability to empathise with people. No matter where someone is from, what they do or who they are, Oprah has an amazing ability to connect with them. Whether she is talking to a huge audience or interviewing someone one-on-one, Oprah is tuned into what others are thinking and feeling.
Who else do you know who is really tuned into what others are thinking and feeling?
Are you looking to focus on empathy this week?
Our teacher’s guide is a handy starting place. We explore how to recognise and encourage empathy in the classroom and how to promote it. Our primary site also has a version for primary teachers.
Elizabeth Blackwell is a name you may not be familiar with, but she also had great empathy. She was the first female doctor in the US, and she focussed her energies on helping poor women and children. She went on to help in the development of health care and the training of women in medicine. Explore her full story on the site…
Are you able to empathise with someone even though they may have a different perspective on something?