Leadership Trend: Logic and Empathy

This is the fourth of six in a series of self-leadership trends adapted from Daniel Pink’s book A Whole New Mind. Previously in this series were:

• Function and Design
• Argument and Story
• Focus and Symphony

Logical thought is a skill that has been crucial for building the world in which we live. It still is. And, it’s not enough to have you succeed in a world where people and relationships are equally important. To lead we need to understand how our peers, colleagues and followers think and feel to create relationships we need to be successful. We need empathy as much as we need logic.

How to Develop Your Empathy

Here are five things you can do today to help you deepen your relationships by building greater empathy…

1. Test Yourself – Take an Emotional Quotient (EQ) test online and find out about your inclinations. Then create a plan to expand your awareness.
2. Create An Emotional Diary – Record how you are feeling at various times throughout your day. Use lots of ‘feeling’ words.
3. Have A Heart 2 Heart – Take a break from life and discuss how you are feeling with a friend, colleague, coach or therapist.
4. Volunteer – Put yourself in someone else’s shoes: work with or for those less fortunate than yourself and make a difference.
5. Challenge Yourself – Notice how you feel at being out of your comfort zone when confronting fear. Who’s the person in the mirror? Really?

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Source

This is from the Book Rapper issue How to Think Right that is derived from Daniel Pink’s best selling book A Whole New Mind. The full Book Rapper summary is available here.