The Need for an Empathy Revolution...NOW!
A dear friend and colleague of mine has recently been diagnosed with an inoperable stage four cancer and some of his medical team are talking about “months” left, and they’re urging him to rest, relax and enjoy life as much as he can in the time he has left.
My friend and I speak nearly every day, often via email, about all sort of things, with the most common theme being, “Not only does the world need an empathy revolution now, but I want to see this happening before…”
What my friend and I so clearly see, and so many others around the world have come to understand, is that there is an “empathy deficit” on the planet.
There has been some astounding research showing that empathy levels are dropping by 50% or more over the past few years and decades (depending on what area the research is looking at).
This is having an impact on politics, business, legislation, the environment, social welfare, animal welfare, human equality, gender equality, marriage equality…and the list goes on.
Where once the common opinion was that the world is going to (insert your favourite profanity or similar word here) because of greed, the science is now showing that it is far more an effect of a lack of empathy.
98% of humans are capable of empathy.
So, why are we using our capabilities less often, less effectively and less for the common good?
Some argue that it’s because we have a very “Me! Me! Me!” culture. This is quite possibly true, and I’m confident there are many other factors.
I have come to the conclusion that my work on this planet is largely now going to be focused on how to increase empathy levels in action, in every possible way I can. This will become a cornerstone of my coaching work for years to come.
I’m sharing this with you because I’d like to invite you to consider the role empathy plays in your life, how you receive it, how you give it, and how it influences the decisions you make. I’m not judging you. I don’t want you to “judge” yourself. I am asking you to reflect.
And more than just reflect, if I’m going to be totally authentic here. I want you to consider where you could act upon those reflections. What can you do more of the same? What could you do differently, and how? Most importantly, what could the impacts be for not only you, but OTHERS, in ANY context, ANYWHERE and possibly EVERYWHERE?
If you would like to know more about the concept and practice of empathy, let me introduce you to one of my new-found heroes (and many thanks to the friend I told you about above for bringing my attention to this person).
This extraordinary champion of empathy is Roman Krznaric.
Here are some great links to get you started:
“How to Start an Empathy Revolution – TEDx Talk (video)
“The Power of Outrospection” – RSA Animate (video)
“Empathy: A Handbook for Revolution” (book)
“Is Australia losing its empathy?” (article)
In closing, the word “empathy” is being searched for on the Internet at a massively increased rate over the past few years. This can easily be argued as the representation of the need people have for more empathy to be demonstrated.
The world needs more empathy, and possibly an empathy revolution.
What will you do to be a part of the revolution?
Will you help make this happen now, so that my friend will see it before...?
I’d love to hear your thoughts if you choose to reply to me.
And finally, thank you in advance for whatever you decide to do with this posting, and especially if you choose to share it with others.
Director and Master Coach
www.IncredibleAwareness.com
