While travelling, I got to spend some time with my son Ranjo. I remember coming out of a meeting that he was involved in and getting the car, when a man came running out and signaled to me to stop. I got out and he asked me, "Are you Ranjo's dad?" I replied, "Yes I am." He then said, "I want to thank you for him. I love him to death." Then he said something that really surprised me. He said, "I would take a bullet for him," adding jokingly, "but not in my vitals."
But that one statement really made me think about the kind of relationship that my son had with this man. Ranjo has this ability to connect with people. Forgive me for bringing my son into this but it makes my point. Over the years I have seen him reach out to people, understanding their situations. I remember when he got a new car. I asked him what he would do with his old one and he said that he was going to give it to a guy who was in this situation where he kept missing classes because his stepfather wouldn't drive him to college.
It made me think about the kind of relationship that allows us to think empathetically about every situation. Simon Sinek in his new book 'Leaders Eat Last' says, "Empathy is something that is vital not only to relationships but to organizations doing well." He talks about the army and the marines and how seniors always eat last allowing juniors to eat first. He asks the question: "How many times have you heard this phrase – because they would have done it for me when asked why do you do something?" that's empathy. That's building an empathic relationship with people.
So curious about empathy in the market place I began to look at a couple of articles and found how important empathy is beginning to be in the market place. Jason Boyers writes in Forbes in an article entitled 'Empathy in the Market Place'. He says, "Without growth and innovation, businesses stagnate and actually fade away. Growth and innovation is fostered by empathic relationships within the organization."
Innovation and creativity is so important today and these are unleashed when there is empathy in the work place. We are all waiting very eagerly for what Tim Cook will release what Apple has been promising what will be revolutionary if not evolutionary in terms of their product line. But innovation is the key. We wait for innovation. How do you develop empathy? One way, as Jason Boyers would say, is "learning to understand, respect and implement another individual's point of view rather than forcing your own way."
How different is empathy from sympathy? Very, very different. Sarah Shields, Executive Director and General Manager of Dell, UK says, "Empathy is understanding; sympathy is feeling sorry. Sympathy is not always productive. Empathy is always productive." She goes on to say, "L'Oreal sales agents who are more empathic average $100,000 more business than those without empathy. Waiters who are more empathetic average 18% more on tips than those who are not.
Simon Collins, Chairman of KPMG also interviewed on this video that was on Guardian says, "Businesses which care about their own people who are honest and authentic in their dealings internally often tend to project themselves as empathic organizations externally. To be viewed as an empathic organization externally, as an organization that understands your needs and tries to meet your needs is key to building up a good consumer base."
I am forcing a point here because understanding also deals with grappling with issues. Understanding has to do with coming to terms with one's own position on some issues, maybe not necessarily to espouse that position, but at least to understand another person's position. Empathy is understanding a situation, not necessarily having to state your position on any issue but at least understanding the issue from your perspective.
I've been reading about how Brendon Eich became the shortest tenured CEO in the tech world when he was CEO for just nine days. He was named CEO of Mozilla and lasted only nine days. This was surprising because he was the co-founder of the maker of Firefox. Yet he got into trouble with a stand that he had taken on the gay issue. They found out that he had made a donation to an anti-gay situation and it all began to play into his role. Sometimes we look at these situations that happen around us and think that it doesn't bother us. But it does. More and more it is beginning to play into our world. More and more, you have to come to a clear understanding of the issues that are involved. It isn't possible anymore to stick our heads in the sand and say: That doesn't concern me. It does concern you.
Scott McNealy, CEO of Sun Microsystems says, "In the old days, when you were being vetted for a job, the question was – Can you generate a return for shareholders? Today that question has changed. Today, more and more, people are being asked: How do you feel about gun control, immigration, gay marriage, abortion, big government, euthanasia?" More and more we are being forced to look at the issues. Here's the thing! It is not possible to look at issues objectively if you don't have empathy. Empathy is at the very center of being able to look and understand the issues that are involved.
That's my thought for you this morning. Empathy is crucial in relationships, for the fostering of good workspace environment, relationships – all to fuel creativity and innovation so that the businesses that we represent can do well. But empathy also has to do with understanding and knowledge that is broad-based. So I would invite you to spend some time looking at some of the current issues that are being debated today and come to an informed position on these issues. That is how you will be able to put empathy into the workplace. I pray that you would have the wisdom to be able to do that and to know how to walk in these spaces that are beginning to be so difficulty to walk in these days without ruffling feathers. But it begins by knowing where you stand on these issues. I hope and pray that you would take the time to find out.
Can I pray with you? Almighty God. On each one of us on this call, these are issues that are beginning to be front and center of all the things that we are doing; many issues that sometimes we don't want to deal with. Yet they are beginning to slowly filter into the work places. So we ask that You would give us the wisdom to understand situations and to make wise decisions based on our understanding of these situations. Give to each one on this call the wisdom to be able to deal wisely with these situations. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
• Simon Sinek, "Leaders Eat Last." http://www.amazon.in/Leaders-Eat-Last-Together-Others/dp/1591845327
• Jason Boyers, "Why Empathy is the Force that Moves Business Forward," http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2013/05/30/why-empathy-is-the-force-that-moves-business-forward/
• Quotes by Sarah Sheilds, Executive Director & Gen Mgr, Dell, UK & Simon Collins, Chairman, KPMG in "How Empathy in the Workplace can Revolutionize Business." http://www.theguardian.com/women-in-leadership/video/2014/aug/28/empathy-in-the-workplace
• Stephen Shankland, "Mozilla Under Fire: Inside the 9-day reign of Fallen CEO Brendan Eich." http://www.cnet.com/news/mozilla-under-fire-inside-the-9-day-reign-of-fallen-ceo-brendan-eich/
• Also referenced: Scott McNealy, CEO of Sun Microsystems
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