One of the givens in heart-centered business is that empathy is a good thing. We want to empathize with other people, just because it’s a good human thing to do. And, when done sincerely, in a business context it helps to convey how we care for others, without treating people as if they are broken.
To push that point, I recently wrote about the three things to include near the top of your sales page, and one of those elements was to start with empathy.
However… ahem… you can overdo the empathy. And, too much empathy can really land badly with people.
Let me explain, if you’re willing to stroll in the woods with me…
It does take some practice to get to “just enough” empathy. Honestly, despite the video, it’s better to have too much than none at all. And… this is a good thing to wrestle with a bit, because when you get it, it doesn’t take a lot of work, just caring in your heart, and it can make a huge difference.
With love,
Mark Silver, M.Div.
Heart of Business, Inc. Every act of business can be an act of love.
P.S. A new project: Sufi Zawiya
This new project isn’t for everyone. Yet, for years there’s been a steady trickle of people asking if I’d be willing to share Sufi teachings and practices outside of a business context. The timing was never right, and I didn’t want to take it on if I couldn’t really care for it.
However, it’s been maturing for the past year… (has it really been a year?) if I’m being honest. And I just had the first live teaching this past Friday (recording available now.)
What it’s about is that the world has become an increasingly difficult place to just be in- political strife, climate disasters, all kinds of extremely challenging situations that hurt our hearts and overwhelm us.
The Sufi teachings are intended to help us anchor in the Divine that is within our hearts, while facing the world with love, justice, compassion, strength and healing.
If you’re drawn, you can take a look here.
And, yes, feel free to share it if you know someone who needs it.
