Empathy: A Primer

Empathy is the basis of social awareness and relationship management. It is the ability to sense the emotions and understand the perspective of others. In leadership, empathy is the ability to relate to different types of people, listen attentively, and communicate effectively. In Empathy: A Primer, Daniel Goleman and colleagues introduce the Empathy Competency, describe why it is important for quality leadership, and give some practical insights for developing this learnable skill. This is the sixth in a series of Primers that explores each of the 12 Emotional and Social Intelligence Leadership Competencies. Each includes an overview of the Competency Model. The other Primers currently available are: Emotional Self-Awareness Emotional Self-Control Adaptability Achievement Orientation Positive Outlook Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, Richard J. Davidson, Vanessa Druskat, and George Kohlrieser explain what it takes to develop empathy from the perspectives of research, psychology, neuroscience, team dynamics, and leadership development. Here’s what is included: • Overview of the Emotional and Social Intelligence Leadership Competency Model • Introduction to Empathy • The Brain Science Behind Empathy • Teams and Empathy • Empathy in Action • How to Develop Empathy • Bonding for Effective Leadership Whether you are an individual looking to elevate your personal performance, a consultant or coach in need of research-based resources, or a head of leadership development in your organization seeking a brief, yet informative, resource to share with your team, this Primer is for you.