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Summary
We often hear about the value of empathy, but what is it, really? Is it simply a nice thing to have, or is it vital to your success? Can it be developed if you’re not born with a natural sense of empathy? Bob discusses these questions at the top of this episode. In the interview segment, we’ll hear from Geoff Colvin, who has written a brilliant book about competing in our age of advanced technology. Is there a link between technology and empathy? To hear the answer to this question, and much more, tune in to this episode!
Bob’s Thought of the Day
- A well-developed sense of empathy is key to your mastery of people skills, which ultimately determine your success in leadership, business, and all relationships.
- Empathy is “the identification with or vicarious experiencing of the other person’s feelings.”
- When someone with true empathy listens, the other person feels truly heard. And feeling heard is what makes the difference.
Interview with Geoff Colvin
- Technology is not our enemy. It is our friend. Nothing in history has come anywhere near the value of technology in making people’s lives better.
- Advancing technology is doing what it has always done: making some skills more valuable, and some skills less valuable. Those who embrace this truth have a chance to live much better lives.
- The high-value skills today are the deep humans skills of interaction: empathy, collaboration, working together to solve problems creatively, relationship-building, and storytelling. The most profitable companies are ones that make empathy a core value. Geoff calls empathy “The Critical 21st Century Skill.”
- Women are, on average, better than men at reading people and discerning emotions. However, everyone can improve their skills in these areas.
- A more diverse team comes up with better answers. The more women you add, the smarter and more effective the team becomes.
Interview Links
- GeoffColvin.com
- Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else
- Humans are Underrated: What High Achievers Know that Brilliant Machines Never Will
Resources
Listen to The Go-Giver Podcast on iTunes
About the Book
The Go-Giver tells the story of an ambitious young man named Joe who yearns for success. Joe is a true go-getter, though sometimes he feels as if the harder and faster he works, the further away his goals seem to be. Joe learns that shifting his focus from getting to giving — constantly and consistently creating value for others — leads to exceptional returns.
Rapidly going from national bestseller to global phenomenon, The Go-Giver has gained a devoted following with over a million copies sold. It’s utilized as a resource in major corporations to small businesses, in schools and churches, in book clubs, and more. Nearly a decade since its original publication, this timeless story continues to help its readers find fulfillment and greater success in business, in their personal lives and in their communities.
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