Empathy has become a buzzword. Many conflate empathy with merely being sensitive to, caring for, or behaving nicely toward others. Some even argue that empathy is mutually exclusive with reason.
Isn’t it time we set the record straight so we can focus our efforts on leveraging the full potential of empathy instead of arguing about it?
Having spent 25+ years across...
- New product & service development in the high-tech industry,
- Anthropological research into the psychological and interpersonal challenges of visual & performing artists,
- Service as leadership performance coach to CEOs in pursuit of innovation
Keynote 1 Synopsis (For General Audience)
Grab anyone off the street and ask them if problem solving should be encouraged. Probably every single person will say “Yes.” Except, it turns out, problem solving can not only serve us well, but also poorly. Because problem solving—especially if they’re motivated by care and compassion—does not always solve problems. In fact, it can also make things worse.
In his keynote, Slim will share stories from his own life as well as from the CEOs he has coached. The stories will highlight situations when problem solving—especially ones driven by care and compassion—fails or makes things worse—especially in the context of leadership and collaborative teamwork. He will also share the antitode to these situations known as realizing empathy, which can help us to more wisely and sustainably navigate such challenges.
Points Addressed
- Why some people accuse your behaviors as lacking empathy, even when you have plenty of it.
- Why care and compassion can backfire unless it is balanced with realizations of empathy.
- Why problem-solving can fail to improve the situation or even make things worse.
- What you can do to make progress when you feel stressed and frustrated with people, especially those whom you care about.
- What you can do to improve the situation when problem-solving doesn’t work or makes things worse.
Keynote 2 Synopsis (For Startup Founders)
Tension is a conflict between what we need or value vs what we have instead. Moderate degree of tension provokes curiosity and motivation to learn while significant tension provokes anxiety and impatience.
When we experience significant tension, we are naturally swayed to define our situation as a problem in an attempt to quickly solve it. While well-intended, this often leads to premature judgments, which can lead to poor decision making.
In this keynote, Slim will share stories from his own life as well as from the Startup Founders he has coached. The stories will highlight situations where realizing empathy both with our own unconscious thoughts and emotions as well as those of others, can discover the so-called “real” problem so we can solve that instead of being swayed to solve a prematurely defined problem.
Points Addressed
- What are predictabe behaviors born out of significant tension.
- Why significant tension can narrow your mind and lead you to premature judgments and poor decision making.
- Why problem-solving can fail to improve the situation or even make things worse.
- What you can do to make progress when you feel stressed and frustrated with important stakeholders.
- What you can do to improve the situation when problem-solving doesn’t work or makes things worse.
intended audience
CEOs, Managers, or Team Leads
As leaders we see problems everywhere. Disengaged, entitled, or underperforming subordinates are merely one of them. But let us take a moment to step back and reflect on our own practice. To confront the possibility that our tendency to problem solve may be part of the problem. That such tendency may not only be hurting our team members’ performance and pushing them away to disengage, but also draining our own energy and overwhelming our minds in the process. Let us challenge ourselves to learn a new approach to leadership other than problem solving. An approach we can use when problem solving makes things worse. An approach that can not only help our team members develop and engage, but also revitalize our own energy instead of draining it.
Healthcare Professionals
As healthcare professionals, we often pride ourselves for caring enough to help solve other people’s problem. But let us take a moment to step back and reflect on our own practice. To confront the reality that our patients don’t always appreciate our care. Not only that, but that we’re becoming mired in resentment and indiganance on top of our already stressful daily routines. Let us challenge ourselves to ponder the possibility that a new approach to care other than problem solving may be necessary to break us out of our vicious cycle. An approach we can use when problem solving makes things worse. An approach that can not only provide better care for the people we serve, but also revitalize our own energy instead of draining it.
Corporate Intrapreneurs or Chage Agents
As intrapreneurs & change makers we are constantly met with resistance to change. Yet, we still persevere through our passion for problem solving to serve a greater purpose and impact. But let us take a moment to step back and reflect on our own practice. To confront the possibility that our tendency to problem solve may be fueling the resistance. Let us challenge ourselves to learn a new approach to change other than problem solving. An approach we can use when problem solving makes things worse. An approach that can not only better serve our purpose and impact, but also revitalize our own energy instead of draining it.
Designers, Engineers, or Consulting Experts
As designers, engineers, or consultants, we are experts at what we do and eager to problem solve with our expertise. What’s odd is that some of our co-workers or clients resist our expertise. In fact, sometimes the very people who hired us for our expertise resist our expertise. But let us take a moment to step back and reflect on our own practice. To confront the possibility that our tendency to problem solve may be fueling the resistance. Let us challenge ourselves to learn a new approach to producing solutions other than problem solving. An approach we can use when problem solving makes things worse. An approach that can not only get our expertise used, but also revitalize our own energy instead of draining it.
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