Friends of Dave #29: Try A Little Tenderness
Empathy fuels connections...and helps get things done.
Some of you may recall that in issue #19 I mentioned that I had a few things going on in both my personal and professional lives that compelled me to write about the notion that time kills all deals in sales. This week, once again fueled by happenings in both my personal and professional lives, I am coming back around to another key to dealmaking and getting things done that I feel warrants some discussion: empathy.
I am amazed at how often we overlook the shear power of empathy in business and in our daily lives. Empathy is not a skill that requires advanced study or knowledge. It is not something that only a small few can master. It is not reserved for certain levels in an organization or in society. Empathy is something that lives inside each of us from the very first day we are born -- it's something we all inherently understand simply because we are human.
When you are able to walk in someone else's shoes, or locate a feeling inside yourself that allows you to relate to a customer, prospect, colleague, direct report, a loved one, or a friend, you are able to make a connection. And when you make that connection, then, no matter what the situation may be, you allow yourself to shed any pretense, ego, or perhaps your own concerns with the sole purpose of collaborating with the other person.
It begs the question: why do we forget about empathy, particularly when it comes to business? I think sometimes people view that tapping into this part of their own humanity is a sign of weakness. As if stopping to consider someone else's concerns or circumstance would increase their own risk of losing or giving the other person the upper hand. I would submit that it is the contrary -- being able to exhibit empathy is a sign of strength and leadership. Devoting time to think, actively listen and truly understand someone else's circumstances enables you to be a better executive, elected representative, teammate, partner, manager, sales person, marketer, and customer service rep. Empathy (and vulnerability) creates stronger connections and, in return, more effective solutions.
So the next time you are in a situation that may be at an impasse or things are not going as expected (particularly when it involves working with another person), don't get frustrated. Stop and try a little tenderness. Show a little empathy and humanity. I guarantee it will yield results that are much better than you had originally expected.
Strongly recommend watching the short video below from Brené Brown and reading the piece on active listening. Really drives home the importance of self-awareness in personal interactions. And for you data and research aficionados, lot of insightful stuff in the newsletter this week as well.
Enjoy your weekend.
XOXO
Dave
Think on This...
Active Listening as a Personal Differentiator — www.farnamstreetblog.com
Interestingly, the idea of active listening goes hand in hand with empathy: it requires us to cast aside narcissism and consider the other person's point of view.
Intelligent machines might want to become biological again — aeon.co
From the evolution side, a number of futurists are predicting the singularity: a time when computers will soon become powerful enough to simulate human consciousness, or absorb it entirely.
Using Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health — www.verywell.com
FACT: mental health is now the most expensive part of our health care system, overtaking heart conditions, which used to be the costliest. Approximately $201 billion is spent on mental health annually. Hear that sound? That is opportunity knocking...
For Your Day Job...
Tapping a Valuable Revenue Stream From 'Data Exhaust' — www.insurancejournal.com
I've written about it before: I believe we have entered the era where every business is a data business. The CEO of Quandl is on a mission to let insurance companies know that their data is valuable and professional investors will pay them.
Bridging the gap between IoT and business data — techcrunch.com
Not only is every business a data business, but now with logistics become another emerging area of innovation, bridges and roads are becoming valuable sources of data as well.
Solving the Last Mile Problem in Investment Research — www.tradersmagazine.com
Interestingly, this is not just a story about investment research. It is also a story about how people will consume, synthesize and value business information moving forward and the marketing challenges businesses that accompany those solutions.
Your Weekly Dose of Randomness...
Is Donald Trump Jr. Really the Fredo of His Family?
WARNING: this is NOT a political statement. Any true Godfather aficionado will agree that the Trumps may just be a family full of Fredos. Read with a sense of humor and enjoy.
The unexpected economic consequences of video games — www.vox.com
Research shows it may keep young men from working. And showering.
A Brief History of the Modern-Day Straw, the World’s Most Wasteful Commodity — www.atlasobscura.com
This is the last one. The final one. And I regret to report, the one that broke the camel's back...
And The Last Word....
Why You Need to Watch HBO's 'The Defiant Ones'
Highly recommend watching this fascinating 4 part documentary from HBO. Not just for the music fans -- it's filled with great, inspiring stories about perseverance, creativity, striving for excellence, marketing, and culture from the 70's until today.