“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” 
― Leo F. Buscaglia
By: Gina Angeli
Simon Sinek is truly one of my favorite speakers. He has the number three most-watched TED talk ever and speaks worldwide about the impact leaders have the opportunity to make in our world today. In his talk titled “Understanding Empathy” Mr. Sinek shares a consistent perspective that is contrary to “standard business practice”- he challenges us to be concerned- truly concerned- about the human being not just their output. This is empathy.
Empathy is powerful and life changing. Will caring for someone immediately and directly add to your bottom line? Probably not but does it make you and your organization more successful? Absolutely, if you define success as making a positive impact in our world.
It is our job as leaders to define the “game” that we choose to play and the “win’ that we seek and then create the environment which allows others to participate in the success.  We do things everyday as leaders that undermine a healthy environment that encourages honesty and risk taking. The good news in this is we can change this if we recognize our responsibility.
Sinek defines leadership NOT as being most in charge but in taking care of those in our charge. We can choose to continue to see our business as products, sales targets, games, profits, etc. But take a minute and look around you. What do you see? Everywhere- people. Let’s see the truth in that.
See Simon Sinek’s video here.