Too often children’s playrooms reinforce gender stereotypes that put boys at risk of failing to gain skills critical for success in life and work. The most important of these? Empathy.
Meg Bear, Group Vice President of Oracle’s Social Cloud, calls empathy “the critical 21st century skill.” She believes it’s the “difference between good and great” when it comes to personal and professional success.
Researchers at Greater Good Science Center out of the University of California, Berkeley, echo Bear’s assertion. They define empathy as “the ability to sense other people’s emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling.
Why is empathy important?
First, empathy breeds courage. In a recent study of nearly 900 youth, ages 11-13, Nicola Abbott and Lindsey Cameron’s, psychology researchers at University of Kent, found that participants with higher levels of empathy were more likely to engage in “assertive bystander behavior.”
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When empathy is integrated into healthcare innovation, it changes the way solutions are designed from the ground up. Instead of focusing solely on efficiency or performance, developers begin to consider how patients experience care in real life. A system may be highly advanced, but if it creates confusion or anxiety, its effectiveness is limited. For example, a digital health platform might offer powerful features, but if patients struggle to navigate it during stressful moments, the technology fails to achieve its purpose. Empathy helps ensure that innovation is not only intelligent but also intuitive and supportive.
The gap persists through three recognizable and reinforcing patterns.
The first is the empathy ceiling, in which empathy comes to function as an endpoint rather than a baseline for leadership. Once a leader expresses awareness through language, identity, or stated intent, scrutiny recedes. Leaders perceived as “getting it” are questioned less, even when hiring and promotion outcomes for women remain unchanged.
The second is intent inflation. Organizations routinely over-credit leaders for intent while under-pricing the cost of inaction. Leaders earn credit for expressing the right values even when advancement outcomes remain flat. When intent is rewarded without regard to outcome, intervention becomes optional.
The third and most operationally consequential pattern is ambiguity transfer: when unclear ownership gets converted into invisible cleanup labor and pushed onto those without the formal authority to assign, decline, or be rewarded for it. I
Empathy sits at the heart of effective helping relationships. This eBook explores the difference between innate empathy and the learnable skill of accurate empathy, showing how reflective listening deepens understanding, strengthens connection, and supports meaningful client change.
In this eBook, discover how to:
Understand empathy as both a natural trait and a clinical skill
Use reflective listening to clarify meaning and build trust
Recognize common barriers to empathic communication
Develop accurate empathy that fosters real therapeutic progress
“The Empathy Evolution” by Ronald Goldman, PhD, Provides a Groundbreaking Guide to Building a More Caring Society
MA, UNITED STATES, April 15, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The latest book by award-winning psychologist Ronald Goldman, PhD, “The Empathy Evolution: Preventing Violence, Racism, Political Corruption, and Mental Illness by Creating More Caring People,” is a landmark work in social science that offers a revolutionary approach to addressing some of society’s most persistent and troubling issues.
This 305-page book dives deep into the long-term effects of American childcare practices on personal and social problems. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Goldman highlights how early traumas sustained from cultural practices create ripples throughout a lifetime, contributing to issues such as violence, racism, political corruption, and mental illness. By adopting strategies proven in other countries and providing what is natural for infants and young children, Dr. Goldman explains that Americans can create profound, positive change.
Bio: I am a dual PhD student in social psychology and cognitive science studying moral psychology, viewpoint diversity, and empathy. (LinkedIn) (Facebook) (Website)
Topic: Exercising Empathy and Strengthening the Empathy Movement
Abstract: The empathy movement is facing a growing challenge as scholars increasingly highlight its “dark sides,” from bias and burnout to what some call harmful or even toxic forms of empathy. This talk argues that the problem is not empathy itself, but how we understand and use it—proposing a new framework that treats empathy as a moral muscle that can be underdeveloped, overextended, or well-trained. By shifting the goal from “more empathy” to “better-calibrated empathy,” this model offers a path forward for building an empathy movement that is both effective and sustainable.
Bio: Susan Christy has designed and facilitated professional LISTENING trainings/programs for thousands of people in corporations, universities, medical schools, and hospitals all over the country. Of c ourse, teaching empathy is an important part of this. (Website) (LinkedIn)
Topic: My Experience Building an Empathy/Listening Movement
Abstract: Beginning in academia as a psychology professor, I taught empathy and communication to empower students to be more effective in their professional and personal lives. I later expanded this into a successful consulting practice, integrating empathy into listening, customer service, leadership, conflict resolution, and team-building programs. I will share my strategies for attracting paid and unpaid clients and getting lots of follow-up business.
Bio: Martin Golder is a Retired Mediator and Architect just finished a book Journey To Empathy about my personal discovery of the power of empathy. (Website) (LinkedIn) (Facebook)
Topic:How to convince the gangster class to join the Empathy Movement.
Abstract: Empathy is so often thought of as a touchy feely lefty kind of thing. Hence Musk’s famous quote. However to build an empathy movement it has to find a place amongst hard nosed business types and even gangsters and neer-do-wells. It is a hard skill that can be learned and put into practice by people in all walks to make their lives better. Even a completely fake version of what Carl Rogers espoused is surprisingly effective. And perhaps the most surprising thing is that when selfish people use Mechanical Empathy to get what they want there is a spin off effect that gradually rewires their brains and turns them into better people. The Empathy movement is for everyone.
Bio: Dr Stuart Nolan is an Empathy Trainer, Keynote Speaker, Stage Performer, and author of How To Train An Empath: Lessons From A Professional Mindreader, with a PhD in the Cultural History of Theatrical and Scientific Mindreading and over 35 years of experience unlocking empathy through science, performance, and play. (Website) (LinkedIn) (Facebook)
Topic: Building Cultures of Empathy Practice, Research, and Innovation in the UK.
Abstract: The talk will report on my work embedding empathy into leadership programmes at UK national organisations, including the BBC and the National Health Service (NHS). It will focus on the use of techniques from theatrical performance to train physical and collaborative empathy. It will also describe the use of a Threefold Model of Empathy that challenges prevailing ideas of what empathy is and suggests ways for the Empathy Movement to tackle the challenges of emerging technology and divisive politics.
Join me for this FREE mini-class on How to Communicate with Empathy. We'll explore what empathy is, how to cultivate it, and discuss its powerful impact on communication skills. This class also touches on the often-overlooked "dark side" of empathy, providing a comprehensive look into this crucial aspect of emotional intelligence.
Moderated by Jennifer Bourque, this event brings together two thought leaders who explore how political polarization erodes our capacity for empathy. As public debates become more conflictual, how do we remain present to one another’s suffering, even when we fundamentally disagree?
Rabbi Lisa Grushcow offers a spiritual perspective on empathy and suffering, while anthropologist Samuel Veissière examines the social forces driving deepening division. Together, they invite us to consider how we might listen, connect, and heal in fractured times.
One of my priorities as president is for the nation to Look to Michigan as a model of robust discourse on critical issues, grounded in empathy, reason, and humility.
I have always contended that for an institution to demonstrate its priorities, they must be reflected in its budget. That is why we are investing $50 million, as a starting point, to establish the Center for American Dialogue and strengthen our commitment to diversity of thought and principled discussion.
The Center represents a lasting commitment to broadening our campus culture by providing a forum that welcomes all perspectives and fosters respectful engagement.
by Mary Bates Rats are social animals, exquisitely attuned to the emotions of the rats around them. In a new study published in PLoS Biology, researchers from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience show that rats may use this sense of empathy as a way to gauge danger.
Most studies of empathy conceive of it as a one-way phenomenon in which an observer “catches” the emotions of another. But in real life, it’s more of an interactive process in which information flows in two directions.
In this Pearl, Maria shares how leading with empathy can transform both student behavior and relationships within a school community. Reflecting on a challenging experience with a student, she explains how listening, building trust, and seeking the “why” behind behavior shifted her process from correction to understanding, and led to meaningful change. Her story highlights that true leadership is grounded in human connection, reminding us that “success isn't just about the standards and scores. It's about human connection.”
Allie Beth Stuckey's debate with David French shows a textbook example of toxic empathy at work.
His sit down with Allie Beth Stuckey on her podcast, “Relatable,” was civil, polite, and respectful from beginning to end. But maybe the most ironic aspect of the conversation, though, centered around their debate over “toxic empathy” – the name of Stuckey’s bestselling book, and a topic that clearly bothers David French.
According to Stuckey, “toxic empathy” is empathy that overrides truth or moral judgment and “encourages the affirmation of lies, sin, or destructive politics.” Empathy becomes harmful when it leads to someone affirming something that is harmful and wrong – especially sexual confusion.
Pressing David French on why he used the preferred pronoun “she” to describe a “he” he replied, “I don’t see the value in saying something that I know and they know is going to be hurtful to them. It’s just normal, complete politeness and manners.”
Much of the blowback against the book has twisted Stuckey’s argument to claim that she is against any sort of empathy. (In this sense, it’s something of a mirror image, perhaps deliberately, of the “toxic masculinity” debate.)
But Stuckey doesn’t argue against empathy; she simply contends that it’s a tool rather than a virtue in itself, which can lead us to bad ends as well as virtuous ones. French’s disagreement with her is less with the characterization of one-sided empathy than with his general view that we need more, rather than less, empathy in politics, while Stuckey argues that feelings-based politics tends to be dangerous. As she told Douthat,
“There are always going to be people on both sides of any story with real pain, with real stories that matter. And both people are made in the image of God. At the end of the day, that’s why you can’t be led by empathy, because if you allow yourself, you can feel really deep empathy for people with competing needs and interests.”
Allie sits down with New York Times columnist David French for a candid discussion on faith, culture, and politics. They debate over the definition of “toxic empathy” and how it is used to advance progressive causes on issues like gender, sexuality, and social justice.
Allie argues that compassion must be grounded in biblical truth rather than emotional manipulation. French says that the real problem is selective or incomplete empathy and that he’s seen an increase in “Christian cruelty.” The conversation explores where Christians should draw lines between mercy, justice, and cultural engagement in an increasingly polarized America. Nothing is off the table, including hot-button topics like Trump, Luigi Mangione, January 6, abortion, and pronouns. Allie and David find some fascinating points of agreement despite public disagreements online.
The video titled "Empathy Summit: Debrief: How Might We Build the Empathy Movement?" is a collaborative reflection session involving over a dozen participants who share their experiences from a recent Empathy Summit. The group discusses the technical aspects of the practice, its emotional impact, and strategic ideas for scaling empathy into a global movement.
Summary
The debrief highlights a tension between the "rigid" structure of reflective listening and the desire for deeper, "heart-centered" connection. While some participants expressed concern that strictly repeating words can feel intellectual rather than emotional, others defended the structure as a necessary starting point for beginners, children, and non-native speakers. Strategic ideas for building the movement included renaming "empathy" to "listening" to avoid negative stigmas, developing a formal training curriculum, and high-visibility public actions like "Occupy Empathy" to encourage dialogue between opposing political groups.
Bio: Bill Filler is retired special education teacher who has worked with at-risk children of all ages for over 30 years. He has been involved in the Empathy Circle since 2017. He co-created the Empathy Circle Facilitator training with Lou Zweier and Edwin Rutsch, and has been holding trainings since March 2020. He is a member of the Empathy Center Board of Directors. (LinkedIn) (Facebook)
Topic: Bringing the Empathy Movement Message to the California State Democratic Convention
Abstract: We brought the message of the Empathy Movement to the California State Democratic Convention. When we got to the convention in San Francisco we found that people were open to a new way of relating to each other, and when they were listened to, were happy they tried the Empathy Circle process. We listened to individuals, brought our message to politicians, and got our message out during a short interview on KPIX TV, a local San Francisco TV station.
Bio: Edwin Rutsch is Founding Director of The Empathy Center, and a leading organizer in the global Empathy Movement. He is a creator and long-time advocate of the Empathy Circle practice—a simple yet powerful tool for building understanding and bridging divides. (LinkedIn) (Facebook) (Website)
Topic: An Invitation to Co-Create Our Shared Empathy Movement Training Curriculum
Abstract: If we want to build a thriving Empathy Movement, we need an effective publicly available Empathy Movement Training Curriculum. Most empathy trainings today are private programs or proprietary courses. While many excellent trainings exist, there is no shared curriculum that is openly available for communities, educators, and organizers around the world. This presentation proposes creating a public-domain Empathy Movement Training Curriculum that integrates the best existing approaches and makes them widely accessible. Participants are invited to join a collaborative effort to design, develop, and expand this curriculum for the global empathy movement.
Bio: Paramita Roy is an educator, filmmaker, and the founder of Global Empathy Conference and Virtual School Australia (VSA). VSA is internationally recognised for teaching empathy through action. Paramita integrates performing arts, storytelling, filmmaking, and reflective writing into education to help young people engage with real-world social issues. She is currently organising the 8th Global Empathy Conference. (Website) (LinkedIn) (Facebook)
Topic: From Understanding to Action: Why the Empathy Movement Must Prioritise Action-Oriented Pedagogies
Abstract: Empathy is widely valued in education, yet it is often taught as a concept to be understood rather than a practice to be enacted. This presentation argues that the Empathy Movement must shift from awareness to action. Drawing on contemporary research and a case study from Virtual School Australia, it demonstrates how action-oriented pedagogies—particularly arts-based and creative practices enable students to practice empathy through lived experience.
In this Summit, empathy activists talk about how we can build the Empathy Movement to make mutual empathy a primary cultural value.
Join this Summit if you are ready to roll up your sleeves and help build the Movement. The Empathy Movement is a transformative force in addressing the growing fragmentation and polarization in modern societies. At its core, the movement seeks to reorient how individuals and groups relate to one another, shifting from transactional, adversarial and authoritarian interactions to ones rooted in mutual listening, deep dialogue, understanding, constructive collaboration and seeing our shared humanity.
For empathy to become a primary cultural value, it needs sustained, coordinated effort across multiple domains. A movement brings all groups together across the social and political spectrum who support this vision. It also provides the organizational structure needed for long-term cultural transformation rather than short-lived initiatives.
Overview Introduction Defining Strategic Empathy The ROI of Understanding: Tangible Benefits for Teams Cultivating Empathy: Practical Steps for Leaders and Teams Empathy as a Competitive Edge
Overview This leadership article makes the case for empathy as a measurable business strategy rather than a soft skill. Covering psychological safety, team performance, employee retention, and practical implementation steps, it is relevant to managers, HR professionals, and organisational leaders seeking sustainable competitive advantage.
On the other hand, technology is a powerful tool, but it must not take away our ability to look and communicate. We understand that Artificial Intelligence is not a threat to humanism, but an ally. We aim to train doctors who use AI to automate mechanical and diagnostic tasks, allowing them to recover time for empathy, active listening and a close, human approach. We have been implementing specific programmes to train verbal and non-verbal communication, empathy, end-of-life support and a comprehensive understanding of patients.
The exhibition Empathy at Vantaa Art Museum Artsi (15 April–18 October 2026) opens perspectives on empathy—as an emotion and an experiential skill that shapes how we encounter other people, communities, and the surrounding nature. The exhibition highlights the personal, cultural, and ecological dimensions of empathy and invites us to reflect on what empathy means right now, in our present time.
Empathy as emotion, skill, and choice
Empathy is not merely a spontaneous emotional reaction, but the ability to perceive another person’s experience and to make choices in relation to it. The exhibition examines how facial expressions, gestures, tones of voice, and the nuances of silence communicate emotions—and how emotional intelligence helps us read these signals. Empathy is also a decision: the choice to listen, to make space, and to affirm the value of another. While empathy enables understanding, compassion goes further, giving rise to the desire to act.
When people traditionally think of empathy, they often think of “walking a mile in the other person’s shoes.” This kind of empathy focuses on how emotion is shared and understood between people. Yes, this can help; it humanizes people and turns someone who may be viewed as “the enemy” into a fellow person. However, “affective empathy,” as this sort of empathy is often called, does not focus on increasing a person’s knowledge base.
Instead, “cognitive empathy,” or understanding how a person thinks and gathers information, is incredibly important to broadening one’s own scope. Just as one blind man’s conclusions in the story are limited to the single area he managed to feel, one’s own experiences only go so far, as they are developed from a limited background. No matter how extensive a person’s affective empathy can span, it is still limited by the stories that the specific person has accumulated. It would be difficult to relate to a person who has a completely different background.
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