In a blog post related to how we think of others, adapted from his new book The Earned Life, the renowned leadership expert and bestselling author Marshall Goldsmith talks about the importance of empathy in our lives.
Goldsmith writes: “Empathy is a deeply personal quality that shapes our ability to make a positive impact. Empathy is the act of experiencing what other people are feeling or thinking. A German philosopher created the term in 1873 from the word Einfühlung, for ‘feeling into,’ and that’s how we think of it nowadays: We feel our way into other people’s emotions and situations. One of the most important qualities of living an earned life is building positive relationships.”
As more workers return to the office, many are questioning whether they want to return at all — not for health reasons, but for reasons of a lack of empathy. For minorities, a driving factor in not returning is that by working remotely they can avoid the unconscious microaggressions from unthinking coworkers. More employees today are speaking up about workplace slights, and workplace trainers and diversity consultants push to address the snubs in sensitivity training, which involves understanding empathy and also encouraging empathetic thinking. .
In The Earned Life Goldsmith uncovers the source of today’s existential crises, including regrets that stem from choices that irrevocably alter our lives, reroute destinies, and haunt our memories. These are particularly timely themes today.
With Goldsmith’s book as a guide, readers can close the gap between what they plan to achieve and what they actually get done—even in a world full of inescapable unfairness and curveballs—and live an earned life that is fulfilling in the long run.
You can read Marshall Goldsmith’s blog here.
About MARSHALL GOLDSMITH
Marshall Goldsmith has been recognized for years as the world’s leading executive coach and the New York Times bestselling author of many books, including What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, Mojo, and Triggers. He received his Ph.D. from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. In his coaching practice, Goldsmith has advised more than 200 major CEOs and their management teams. He and his wife live in Nashville, Tennessee.
About THE EARNED LIFE
In THE EARNED LIFE (Currency Books), Marshall Goldsmith uncovers the source of today’s existential crisis: regret, the kind stemming from choices that irrevocably alter our lives, reroutes destinies, and haunts our memories—particularly timely themes as the pandemic and Great Resignation inspire people to seek meaning in their lives, get unstuck and make changes. With this book as their guide, readers can close the gap between what they plan to achieve and what they actually get done—even in a world full of inescapable unfairness and curveballs—and live an earned life too fulfilling to dwell on the “what ifs.”
If you’d like more information on Marshall Goldsmith, The Earned Life, and his work, please get in touch with Lyda Goldsmith.
