Police watchdog called in
Mayor calls 'BS' on list
U.S. authorities find bodies
Premier stands by pick
Canada's most-wanted list
Sask. will still get rebates
Santos ends comeback bid
Douglas C-54 plane crashes
Trump's 'eyes and ears'
US TikTok ban sent to Biden
Phish fans enter the Sphere
CN Rail profits fall 
Warriors snakebitten in loss
Iginla off to Europe
Rockets ink prospect
Alleged Tupac killer in court
Lawsuit accuses Megan
Bam Margera’s tour axed
Empathy is an extremely powerful concept. It is part of a basket of qualities that contribute to someone's EQ (Emotional Quotient) as compared to their IQ. It is a very important quality in leadership and management and possibly one of the reasons that recently compelled Kevin O’Leary, the former Dragon’s Den panelist to state that of all his investments, his female led teams outperform their male counterparts.
It is pause for thought as we ponder why that may be. I for one, believe that female entrepreneurs often drive a very hard bargain. With that being said however, they have a natural affinity towards a higher EQ in many areas which perhaps gives them a slight edge over men. Here is an interesting article I came across recently on the subject: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-brain-and-emotional-intelligence/201104/are-women-more-emotionally-intelligent-men
For many years, we have read PMA books on the subject, perhaps without even realising. Stephen Covey wrote a chapter on “Seek First To Understand”. Until we can get to grips with the frame of mind of the person we are dealing with, it is pretty difficult to enter in to a negotiation or discussion with confidence in a business environment. High level business consultants understand the concept of EQ and the balance that is required in management teams, boards and corporate leadership.
However, EQ is not something that only has a foothold in the business world. In the charity world we operate from a position of empathy consistently. For my wife and I, as we travel to far corners of the world to assist in poverty reduction we cannot help but seek to understand the position that the person, family or region is in before we question what possible solutions may be appropriate.
Google's top ranked definition of empathy I found is: “Empathy is the experience of understanding another person's condition from their perspective. You place yourself in their shoes and feel what they are feeling. Empathy is known to increase pro-social (helping) behaviours.”
Having read this definition, it makes me wonder why are we even questioning whether or not it is our responsibility to help refugees of the Syrian crisis. There is no easy answer or solution, but from a position of empathy, there is a responsibility.
Photo: Contributed
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
