Reducing the economic gap may be impossible without also addressing the gap in empathy.
When we focus on others, our world expands.
Simply paying attention allows us to build an emotional connection. Lacking attention, empathy hasn't a chance.
Empathy and social skills are social intelligence, the interpersonal part of emotional intelligence. That's why they look alike.
A prerequisite to empathy is simply paying attention to the person in pain.
Leaders with empathy do more than sympathize with people around them: they use their knowledge to improve their companies in subtle, but important ways.
Empathy represents the foundation skill for all the social competencies important for work.
Empathetic people are superb at recognizing and meeting the needs of clients, customers, or subordinates. They seem approachable, wanting to hear what people have to say. They listen carefully, picking up on what people are truly concerned about, and respond on the mark.
There is zero correlation between IQ and emotional empathy... They're controlled by different parts of the brain.
Simple inattention kills empathy, let alone compassion. So the first step in compassion is to notice the other's need. It all begins with the simple act of attention.