Moana is a Disney princess who is proud of where she’s from and doesn’t back down from new challenges. If you’re familiar with the character, there are probably many things you like about her. What stands out for me is how she demonstrates selflessness and empathy for her community as well as each of the individuals with whom she interacts. Her empathy drives her journey.
We talk about empathy as it is an important part of how and why we connect with other people. Cognitive empathy is the ability to understand other people’s feelings and perspectives. That’s the core piece. Emotional empathy is the next level when we can feel what someone else is feeling, which will lead to a deeper connection. And, at its highest level, empathy concern means we can sense what the other person needs from us and calls us to act. Who have you encountered demonstrates this level of empathy? How did it make you feel?
When interacting with your KOLs, how do you demonstrate empathy? Empathy is important to build trusting relationships. There are many ways to do this including through active listening:
· Give the KOL your full attention
· Ask good, relevant questions based on what they’ve shared
· Don’t judge or interrupt them as they share
Are you able to discern what they need from you or are you in problem solving mode? In her journey, Moana demonstrated empathy to many people but it’s perhaps her interactions with Maui where she demonstrates it the most through her patience and understanding despite his reluctance (and arrogance) to support her. How will you show empathy during your next KOL meeting?