The Empathy Edge

By: Maria Ross
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  • Summary

  • Failed product launches. Furious customers. Dysfunctional teams. Many of the problems we face in the business world (and frankly, society) stem from the same root cause: Lack of empathy. Speaker, author, strategist, and empathy advocate Maria Ross shares keen insights and inspiring interviews that prove empathy and compassion are the new paths to market-winning performance. Leveraging both inspiring stories and hard data, Ross connects empathetic leadership, cultures and brands to innovation, engagement, and bottom-line results. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies to amplify your impact, and learn how compassionate business tactics can transform your organization from the inside out. The Empathy Edge podcast provides a quick dose of motivation, wisdom, and practical actions that executive leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers can use right now. Ready to infuse YOUR organization with more empathy? Tune in to learn why cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive.
    2020-2022 Maria Ross
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Episodes
  • Empathy Under Pressure: 2024 State of Workplace Empathy (Part 2) with Rae Shanahan

    Empathy Under Pressure: 2024 State of Workplace Empathy (Part 2) with Rae Shanahan
    Sep 19 2024
    Welcome to another special episode brought to you by the great folks at Businessolver! Their annual State of Workplace Empathy Report has been my go-to for years in finding out exactly how everyone from CEOs to employees thinks and feels about empathy in the workplace. The 2024 report offers so much valuable information to help all of us navigate the new world of work.In today's episode, Part 2, A Gameplan for Putting Empathy into Action, Rae Shanahan and I focus on why empathy is hard to achieve when everyone thinks it's a good idea. We give examples of empathetic leadership - and behaviors that are the opposite of empathy. We dive into a study theme of accountability and the false belief that empathy and accountability are opposites. Rae shares what empathetic culture does for your organization, and gives examples of what employees deem to be empathetic company benefits. Finally, we revisit the three pillars Businesssolver discovered in their research and how to take action on each one. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Everything starts with awareness. We have a chance to impact the culture by focusing on the leaders.Understanding doesn’t mean endorsement. Empathy doesn't mean you agree or condone behavior or the decision. It means you are there for someone and factor in their point of view.It takes time to build up trust, especially in an environment where it hasn't been there before. "We are not a one-size-fits-all organization. Employees have different needs and different definitions of benefits depending on where they are in their life cycle." — Rae ShanahanEpisode References:Empathy Authenticity ChecklistThe Empathy DilemmaBrené Brown Short on EmpathyQBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John G. MillerJelly Roll - I Am Not OkayFrom Our Partner:Download the 2024 Ninth Annual State of Workplace Empathy study from Businessolver: www.businessolver.com/edgeDiscover more valuable content from Businessolver on The Benefits Pulse vodcast: www.businessolver.com/benefits-pulseAbout Rae Shanahan, Chief Strategy Officer, BusinessolverRae Shanahan is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Known for her strong business development skills in coaching, sales, team building, and healthcare information technology and management, Rae brings a unique blend of strategic insight and empathetic leadership to the table. Her empathetic approach has been instrumental in nurturing the growth of Businessolver from 12 employees to over 1,700. Rae understands the importance of empathy in fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment, ensuring culture is always first. This perspective has guided her efforts as the current Chief Strategy Officer at Businessolver and her previous role as CEO of Innovation Works, where she supported the incubation of new business strategies and opportunities. Her initiatives, including the launch of Businessolver's Artificial Intelligence Engine, MyChoice Accounts and the Benefits Innovation Group, are all centered on delivering delight to clients and their employees, ensuring that everyone feels valued and heard.Connect with Businessolver & Rae Shanahan:Website: businessolver.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/raeshanahanLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/businessolverX: @BusinessolverInstagram: @BusinessolverFacebook: facebook.com/bsolver Connect with Maria:Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaAchieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge
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    35 mins
  • Michelle Hoover: Understanding First-Generation Professionals in Your Workplace

    Michelle Hoover: Understanding First-Generation Professionals in Your Workplace
    Sep 17 2024
    Hispanic. Women. Gay. Transgender. Neurodiverse. Black. All of these identities make up the rich mosaic of our workplaces. We know the data shows that diverse experiences drive better business decisions to identify unseen risks or opportunities, but have you considered this next group we talk about today - First Generation Professionals? This is a group that studies show exhibits a strong percentage of loyalty, motivation, and desire to pursue management positions. They should definitely be considered when looking at your talent pipeline.My guest today is Michelle Hoover. We talk about who FGPs are and why investing in them is a win for your company. Michelle shares a little about what makes them tick (especially given her own identity as an FGP) and why understanding this will help you practice empathy if you misunderstand certain behaviors. We discuss the difference between experience and identity, what holds FGPs back, how to practice conscious curiosity, and, specifically, what you can do to harness their potential to help your organization succeed. You will leave appreciating the power of acknowledging diverse groups in your organization through mentoring and ERGs, instead of seeing such diversity as a burden. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Confronting your fears is a great way to grow, evolve, transform, and gain confidence.Especially with first-generation professionals, their background, family, and upbringing influence them in the business world. That's something important we need to recognize in terms of being empathetic in the workplace.81% of first-generation college students cite financial stability as their reason for pursuing a college degree. They are motivated to achieve some level of financial success and stability.Many FGPs don’t know how to play the corporate games for promotion, they were never taught. Without empathy to see their side, leaders may see it as a lack of drive, proactivity, and initiative when that is far from the truth. "This is your leadership pipeline, and this helps with more early career retention strategies." — Michelle HooverFrom Our Partner:Download the 2024 Ninth Annual State of Workplace Empathy study from Businessolver: www.businessolver.com/edge Discover more valuable content from Businessolver on The Benefits Pulse vodcast: www.businessolver.com/benefits-pulse About Michelle Hoover, Principal, Baem LeadershipMichelle Hoover is a leadership development strategist, advisor, and executive coach. A trusted thought partner to CEOs and business leaders, she has designed, delivered, and facilitated talent-development programs for more than 15,000 learners across five continents in her 19 years in leadership development. Michelle is the founder of Baem Leadership, a strategic consultancy that advises global corporations, mid-stage startups, and purpose-driven organizations on empowering and emboldening their leaders — especially First-Generation Professionals — to lead themselves and their teams more effectively.Connect with Michelle Hoover: Baem Leadership: https://www.baemleadership.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myhoover/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baemleadership/ Newsletter: https://baemleadership.substack.com/ Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaAchieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge
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    45 mins
  • September Hot Take: It's Finally HERE!

    September Hot Take: It's Finally HERE!
    Sep 10 2024

    “For all the bold leaders embracing a more human-centered approach and performing at the highest levels, your choices impact and influence your colleagues, families, and communities, that's a win for us all.” This is just a small snippet from the dedication of The Empathy Dilemma which is out today! I am so excited to share this book with all of you who have been with me as listeners to this podcast and during this journey. Listen in to find out how you can get your hands on the book, whether one copy or hundreds of copies, and to find out more about how we can all get this book into the hands of a wider audience and spread the hopeful message of empathy to leaders everywhere. I hope you enjoy the book. I hope it is valuable for you and your team. I hope you implement some of the tactics and let me know how it goes! I’d love to hear from you.

    To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com


    Key Takeaways:

    • Once you embrace empathy and see another person's point of view, you can't unsee it.
    • If your favorite bookstore does not have The Empathy Dilemma, you can ask them to order it! It is widely available now everywhere books are sold.
    • To spark a movement of empathy in the workplace and a new paradigm for culture and work, please rate and review the book on Amazon and give an honest review, whether you thought it was just okay or you thought it was amazing - it will help spread the empathy movement further.

    "This book is for those leaders who want to embrace the new paradigm of leadership, but are struggling a little bit. I wanted to provide you some context, but also actionable strategies and tactics to shore up your foundation so that you can be empathetic with your teams while still expecting high performance, accountability, and results." — Maria Ross



    From Our Partner:

    Download the 2024 Ninth Annual State of Workplace Empathy study from Businessolver: www.businessolver.com/edge


    Discover more valuable content from Businessolver on The Benefits Pulse vodcast: www.businessolver.com/benefits-pulse


    Connect with Maria:

    Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

    Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

    Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

    Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

    LinkedIn: Maria Ross

    Instagram: @redslicemaria

    X: @redslice

    Facebook: Red Slice

    Threads: @redslicemaria



    Achieve radical success putting empathy into action with Businessolver. Techlology with heart, powered by people. https://www.businessolver.com/edge
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    14 mins
Management Marketing Economics Social Sciences Relationships
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