The gift.
Empathy is a gift. It reminds us that we are not alone, that there are others who feel our pain (or pain that is similar to our own), that we are understood, heard, and supported.
Conducting a search on the Havard Business Review website for the word empathy, a long list of articles, books, case studies, and podcast episodes came up. (I stopped counting at 48.) Dozens of experts consistently include empathy as one of the top ten leadership skills or competencies. Empathetic leaders succeed because they understand what their team members are struggling with. So that they can guide, mentor, and inspire their team based on that knowledge. This is a gift to the team members, but also to the wise leader who reaps the rewards of the engagement and motivation which their empathy has engendered.
What can you give?
My Aunt Kate taught me by example that the most valuable thing we can do with the love that we receive is to share it—unconditionally. This is a truly difficult thing to do. (For me, anyway.) Sometimes, we do not feel like giving love to people who have been inconsiderate, insensitive or difficult to interact with. Unconditional love means finding a way to feel empathy for another person without necessarily liking them. It is also about feeling empathy for people who are not members of your affinity or ‘in group’. The fewer common characteristics or experiences that we share with another person, the more conscious we need to be of practicing empathy and giving that gift to others.
What can you receive?
A community might include our family, our friends, our coworkers, our geographic neighborhood, our fellow human beings across the globe. It is within a community of our choosing that feeling and expressing empathy is easiest. It is easier to receive empathy in such environments because we feel safer. When I was widowed I joined a support group of others who shared that traumatic experience. We were all grappling with intense grief and situational depression. I was grateful for the empathy given and received by group members.
What do you want?
As we face rapid fire negative input, we want a break from the onslaught of up to the second breaking news. Most of us want to be able to connect with others who have had similar experiences and are compassionate. We want to be able to express ourselves without fear of reprisal or risk of conflict. To spend time with others who are committed to making positive contributions to our world and share our ideas, hopes, and creative dreams.
What do you need?
When times are hard it can be very difficult to feel inspired to do the work that needs to get done. We all need infusions of inspiration. I find inspiration in hearing other’s stories. Stories about how they remain resilient, how they persist, and what gives them hope. Often, these stories are like the ones I share about my incredible Aunt Kate who inspires me everyday to face challenges, pain, and loss. Sometimes, the stories are about famous people who are familiar to us all. Knowing that others, ancestors, strangers, colleagues and peers have also overcome barriers helps us to know that we are not alone. This fulfills our need to belong and provides us with an opportunity to be inspired by others’ hopes and dreams. Coming together and feeling mutual empathy, trust and inclusion; being fully heard and receiving affirming positive feedback (another gift!); and being refreshed and renewed in community with others is critically needed right now.
If you have not connected with others to share empathy and inspiration for a while, isn’t today a great day to do so?
Onward!
Wendy
Inclusion Strategy Solutions LLC
February 5, 2026