The empathy gap is when we underestimate how much our feelings and current state of mind influence our decision making. Have you made a New Year’s resolution that you had EVERY intention to keep and then just didn’t? Maybe you decided to change your diet and replace after-work ice cream with fresh fruits. “Great idea!” you tell yourself, “I’m making fabulous choices!” And maybe you do that for a while until one day you feel tired or grumpy, got yelled at at work, your kids were driving you up the wall, or everything seemed to go wrong. Suddenly that bowl of ice cream felt irresistible and that fruit plan seemed ridiculous. This is an example of the “empathy gap.”
Empathy as a Business Superpower: The ROI of Human Connection
Make no mistake, empathy isn’t soft, and it’s certainly not fluffy. It requires courage, consistency, and accountability. True empathy involves listening deeply while also giving straight feedback. It’s about showing appropriate vulnerability while knowing your limits. Most importantly, it drives real business results.
The key insight here is that empathy isn’t about avoiding conflict – it’s about having conflict well. We taught our teams how to approach emotionally charged moments with composure, manage their own nervous system responses, and create psychological safety even during difficult feedback conversations.
On October 11, 2025 the Empathy Center will be conducting a free Facilitator training course on Zoom. The intent of this training is to teach the participant how to organize and conduct Empathy Circles.
The course is experiential and consists of 4 classes taught over 4 consecutive Saturdays. Each class lasts about two and half hours. In addition to attending 4 sessions of 2.5 hours each, there are weekly assignments to complete that may take 1-2 hours. We will also pair you weekly with an empathy buddy to practice empathy.
Join Monique as she explores the biblical perspective on compassion versus the cultural phenomenon of empathy, and how untethered empathy can lead to manipulation and moral compromise. Learn how Christians can stay grounded in scripture, discern truth, and avoid the pitfalls of cultural empathy. Guest: Dr. Joe Rigney, author of the book The Sin of Empathy
Time stamps of key moments in the discussion:
6:02 Guest introduction
7:02 What do you mean by empathy? Why do you believe that empathy can become sinful?
14:05 Is differentiating between empathy and compassion just splitting hairs?
16:18 Help us understand like biblical examples of godly compassion, where we don't see it crossing the line into unbiblical empathy.
20:02 What are some of the spiritual dangers when we move from weeping to feeling what someone feels?
22:57 Can empathy hinder discipleship or repentance?
27:20 How do you see the conversation on race being overtaken by the issue of empathy?
30:13 Where does empathy close doors to conversations that actually need to be had?
36:08 How can Christians be compassionate without buying into the culture’s definition of empathy?
39:47 Do you think that we are getting to the point in the church where empathy is seen as a commandment?
42:12 Is the sinful version of empathy something that you think the enemy can bamboozle Christians with at times?
46:05: How can I be a good empathetic person or how do I teach my child to be a good empathetic person and yet help them not to fall into the sinful version of empathy?
49:28 Is there a connection between empathy and things like truth and authority?
57:52 What would you say to the person who struggles with empathizing with others inappropriately?
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According to the Associated Press, there’s a movement of Christians who believe that empathy “can manipulate caring people into accepting all manner of sins according to a conservative Christian perspective, including abortion access, LGBTQ+ rights, illegal immigration and certain views on social and racial justice.”
In other words, these Christians believe that empathy is bad.
The article goes on to explain that Allie Beth Stuckey, author of Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion, believes that empathy has been co-opted “to convince people that the progressive position is exclusively the one of kindness and morality.
Without empathy, rules feel like chains. With empathy, rules become guidelines that support both the organization and the humans who make it possible. Basic rights like weekends and public holidays should never be turned into favors by management. Compassion is not a privilege; it is a necessity.
I now know this: saying yes to everything doesn’t make you a better employee. It only teaches others to take you for granted. Respect at work does not come from blind obedience; it comes from mutual understanding. And for me, it’s clear. I no longer wish to work in a place where empathy is absent, favoritism thrives, and bossiness is mistaken for leadership.
Because in the end, it isn’t the rules that inspire people to give their best. It is the feeling that they are seen, heard, and valued as human beings. And that begins with empathy.
In this volatile mix, empathy is no longer an optional soft skill, but a core competency needed to support resilience, trust and decision-making. Empathy directly impacts outcomes, particularly in fields like healthcare and law enforcement, in which interactions may carry emotional weight or escalate into a crisis. For example, a provider’s lack of empathy can compromise patient adherence and worsen outcomes; in law enforcement, it can result in unnecessary use of force, misjudged risk or tragic errors.
An empathic response, on the other hand, can build rapport, defuse tension and even save lives.
“Empathy is critical in so many settings. It can help doctors provide better care for patients, and it can help police officers de-escalate situations more successfully,” says project co-principal investigator Roy Dong, who is an assistant professor in industrial & enterprise systems engi.neering and electrical & computer engineering.
Scientists have observed an extraordinary act of empathy in mice, as they appear to provide first aid to their unconscious mates. A new study reveals that when encountering an unresponsive companion, mice attempt to wake them up by touching, grooming, and even pulling their tongues—a behavior similar to how humans clear airways.
Li Zhang, a researcher at the University of Southern California, conducted experiments to understand how mice react to unconscious peers. In the study, caged mice were introduced to a sedated companion. Researchers observed that the awake mice spent nearly half of 13 minutes attending to the unresponsive ones.
Jane, there's a part of that speech, that SAG speech, about the arts. And you say specifically that the arts has the power to create empathy, to understand a human so profoundly that you can touch another person's soul. And I always wondered this about actors. What makes one want to sit in those emotions? What is that like for you? What is it that you enjoy most about that?
FONDA: Oh, it's the most thrilling thing in the world. The whole process of getting to know another character so well that you respond spontaneously the way they would, not the way you would, that's just a joyful experience. You understand why they are the way they are deeply. You may play somebody who you don't like, you know, whose values don't reflect yours. But you get down to what made them human. What is the humanness in them? That's great. That's why acting leads to empathy.
The effect intensified with political extremity. The study of 55 participants found that the more someone endorsed right-wing authoritarian values, the weaker their neural empathy response. The researchers noted it was as if the conservative brain’s empathy circuits were “dialed down”, not broken, but muted by default.
Conservative Christians are trying to argue that empathy is a sin. Dr. Rashad Richey and Jackson White discuss on Indisputable. Tell us what you think in the comments below.
"WASHINGTON (AP) — Empathy is usually regarded as a virtue, a key to human decency and kindness. And yet, with increasing momentum, voices on the Christian right are preaching that it has become a vice.
For them, empathy is a cudgel for the left: It can manipulate caring people into accepting all manner of sins according to a conservative Christian perspective, including abortion access, LGBTQ+ rights, illegal immigration and certain views on social and racial justice."
Registration for this session will close on Friday October 03, 2025.
All humans benefit from cultivating empathy, but as educators, we have so many extra human hearts to care for - that growing our own empathy becomes a vital aspect of our work. Join this supportive community of practice to explore how to keep our own hearts open, even as we set clear and necessary boundaries, to create the conditions for our students to move beyond their own points of view and genuinely care for one another.
Why Join?
Cultivate empathy while balancing self-care and setting healthy boundaries.
Experience practices that foster empathy and connection.
Connect with others to share insights and strategies for a meaningful impact.
What’s Included:
Three 90-minute facilitated sessions with the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley
A deep dive into the science of empathy with a group of like-minded educators from around the world
Resources and takeaways to apply directly in your school and/or
Making judgments, leading teams, and achieving goals have long been the hallmarks of leadership. However, the definition of leadership is changing in the dynamic workplace of today. It is no longer solely about technical proficiency, experience, or authority. Rather, leaders who have a greater understanding of people are the ones that succeed. Empathy, or the capacity to identify, comprehend, and react to the feelings of others, has emerged as the new superpower of leadership and is revolutionizing the way businesses operate.
For many years, aggressiveness, hierarchy, and control were frequently linked to leadership. However, these outdated models are becoming less relevant as workplaces become more diverse, collaborative, and human-centered. Today's workers demand leaders that care about them, listen to them, and support them as individuals—not just directives and deadlines. Empathy is the ability to lead with knowledge, compassion, and a sincere interest in the welfare of others. It is not the same as being soft or avoiding tough choices.
Empathy can become toxic when it starts affecting your well-being.
Empathy is generally seen as a positive thing and something we want people to cultivate in themselves. The skill of feeling what others feel can help build connections between people, prevent anti-social behaviors like bullying, and aid in resolving conflict, so it's good for society as a whole when people are empathetic.
What’s next? Integrating empathy, technology and data Viewing patient experience and HCP wellbeing through an empathetic lens will amplify positive outcomes for both. Service design provides a valuable tool to understand both aspects more holistically, allowing us to dive deeper into the key moments that matter, and build human-centred strategies focused on the most important element of healthcare: the people. This will ensure a lasting positive impact across the healthcare ecosystem as a whole.
Is Empathy the Cause of Empathy Burnout or Empathy Fatigue? Real empathy can be rejuvenating as we are the witness of another person’s experience and see their relief or intense emotions dissipate, or share their joy when we empathize. When empathy is done well, it deepens connection, enhances trust, and raises energy, creating healing and understanding, rather than burnout.
Empathy is not the culprit.
The real issue is when empathy isn’t paired with self-awareness, emotional regulation, healthy boundaries or skill.
Empathy used to give brands an edge, but today it can expose weakness.
In the era of social media and political flare-ups, companies often respond with a familiar playbook: carefully worded statements, emotionally aware language, and declarations of solidarity. These messages are usually polished and sometimes sincere, but they are increasingly ineffective
Looking for advice on how to teach your child important life skills like empathy? Interested in the difference between sympathy and empathy? Read on!
Empathy is a life skill our children can use throughout their childhood and adult life, giving them the ability to relate to and better understand other people, including those they may perceive as ‘different’ to them.
You may think empathy comes naturally, but studies have shown empathy is something that can be taught, whether your child is home educated or attends a school, and inclusive of their individual needs.
Right-wing influencer warns the left's zero empathy threatens American dream Benny Johnson calls out the lack of empathy from liberals towards those who don't share their same political perspectives.
A tool for teachers and coaches to guide participants toward greater investment through empathic interview techniques
Use this guide to constantly revisit empathy interviewing techniques and best practices. As a rule of thumb, choose 2 Do’s and 1 Don’t to keep in focus throughout every interview. As best practices become habit, pick new areas to focus.
AI is reshaping the workplace as companies are turning to it as a substitute for hiring, raising questions about the future of the job market. For many, there is uncertainty about the jobs their children will have. Robert Reich, the Labor Secretary under President Clinton and professor at Berkeley, joined Geoff Bennett to discuss his new essay, "How your kids will make money in a world of AI."
The video "Future Jobs: How to Thrive in the Age of AI" says that empathy will be increasingly important in the future job market [02:43].
The video highlights a few key points about empathy:
Jobs that require empathy, such as childcare, eldercare, nursing, and therapy, are less likely to be replaced by AI because they involve a human touch that AI cannot replicate [04:47].
Even though AI may be able to simulate human interaction, it cannot replace genuine human care and connection [03:08].
The speaker suggests that these "caring jobs" that rely on empathy will be a significant part of the future job market as other sectors become more automated [05:17].
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Empathy doesn’t register with the right wing extremists. I fear we will, and/or are, becoming the same. IMO: our empathy is waning due to the abuse, fear, and anger we are all experiencing. Example: Rudy Giuliani has a car accident and is injured. Many will, and did, cheer.
Some Christians are skeptical about empathy, mistakenly assuming that it coddles others and reinforces sinful behavior. Yet genuine empathy (even when we sin) helps us understand our struggles and strengthens us to grow in Christlikeness. Thankfully, loving and healthy empathy is modeled all over the Bible and not only comforts us but leads us toward truth and responsibility.
Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi address concerns you might hear about empathy in some Christian circles. You’ll discover fresh insights from the empathy scriptures they teach in their new book, Deeply Loved, and learn the importance of holding others in God’s empathy while the Spirit draws them toward transformation.
New ACM TOSEM paper on novel Empathy & Software Engineering theory:
Gunatilake, H., Grundy, J.C., Hoda, R., Mueller, I. The Role of Empathy in Software Engineering - A Socio-Technical Grounded Theory, to appear in ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology (TOSEM)
Empathy, defined as the ability to understand and share others’ perspectives and emotions, is essential in software engineering (SE), where developers often collaborate with diverse stakeholders. It is also considered as a vital competency in many professional fields such as medicine, healthcare, nursing, animal science, education, marketing, and project management.
Despite its importance, empathy remains under-researched in SE. To further explore this, we conducted a socio-technical grounded theory (STGT) study through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 22 software developers and stakeholders. Our study explored the role of empathy in SE and how SE activities and processes can be improved by considering empathy.
Through applying the systematic steps of STGT data analysis and theory development, we developed a theory that explains the role of empathy in SE. Our theory details the contexts in which empathy arises, the conditions that shape it, the causes and consequences of its presence and absence.
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