The Empathy Edge Maria Ross

Visiting snow leopards in their natural habitat or hanging with penguins in Antarctica is a life-changing way to engage with nature but it's not within the grasp of most people. So how can we leverage technology to offer that exposure and foster empathy for wildlife conservation? My guest today, Gautam Shah, figured out a way to combine his passion with entrepreneurship to connect people with wildlife in fun, unique ways. 

Today we talk about why public engagement with wildlife is so important, and how using games can be more effective than current conservation tactics. Gautam shares some very cool examples of work they've done with partners such as Adidas and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We talk about empathy vs. caring, how "behavior change" is not the primary goal of this work, and why many current conservation messages can derail efforts to engage everyday people by not having empathy for them. Toward the end, he candidly discusses the challenges entrepreneurs face to balance purpose with profit and the hard choices that one has to make to keep the organization alive and sustainable for the long haul. 
 
To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:
If everyone had the opportunity to sit with an endangered animal, how many people would it change in favor of the planet? Though that’s not possible, there are ways people can engage individually in the change. Compassion is empathy in action. Empathetic people don’t suffer from a lack of caring, but often from not knowing how to take action. Internet of Elephants is using modern, creative ways to engage people in the story of conservation and making the stories told by the data gathered on the animals personal. They are making the stories of these animals personal to the individual.  

"It's a holistic process of thinking about the person and understanding their life before you can have any opportunity to think that you can introduce empathy for animals that might be very, very far away." —  Gautam Shah

Episode References: 
FathomVerse: https://www.fathomverse.game/ 
About Gautam Shah, Founder, Internet of Elephants, National Geographic and TED fellow

Gautam is the founder of Internet of Elephants, a social enterprise that develops groundbreaking digital tools to engage people with wildlife. He believes that engaging the public with nature and its conservation is the most important thing we can do for the long-term health of the planet and that we need to find modern mediums to tell stories and foster that engagement. Video games are the defining media of our time, so Internet of Elephants tells nature and wildlife stories through thoughtful combinations of mobile games, augmented reality, and data visualizations that use GPS and other data gathered about animals and the planet. In doing so, they hope to catalyze whole new approaches to engaging the public with wildlife. Gautam is both a National Geographic and TED Fellow.

Connect with Gautam Shah:  
Internet of Elephants: http://internetofelephants.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/internetofelephants/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ioelephants 

Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com

PRE-SALE SPECIAL! Pre-order 1 to 99 copies of Maria's new book, The Empathy Dilemma for your leaders, exec team, (or yourself?!) and GET 30%! https://bit.ly/TEDSpecialPresale Offer ends August 27, 2024!
 
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

Self-care is more than just manis, pedis, and massages. It is vital to helping leaders embrace empathy while also making tough business decisions, holding people accountable, and setting high-performance standards. It matters because depleted leaders are ineffective leaders.
 
To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:
Empathy requires fertile soil to take root. If you’re stuck in self-preservation and not feeding your own soil, you won’t be able to meet others with curiosity and empathy.Use pillar one, Self-Awareness, to start taking better care of yourself so you have a greater capacity to look outward. Check out more about the book at TheEmpathyDilemma.com.  

"It can be tempting to shoulder additional burdens in the name of empathy, but, in the end, you are doing yourself and your team a disservice." —  Maria Ross
 
Episode References: 
Enjoy special pre-sale and launch bonuses: http://theempathydilemma.com/book-offersCheck out more about the book here: www.TheEmpathyDilemma.comSign up for the FREE Masterclass: The 4 Step Framework to Craft a Captivating Brand Story that Attracts Your Right-Fit Clients: https://bit.ly/4StepBrandStoryApril Hot Take: Why Empathy Starts with Self-Awareness: https://red-slice.com/the-empathy-edge/april-hot-take-why-empathy-starts-with-self-awareness 
Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com

PRE-SALE SPECIAL! Pre-order 1 to 99 copies of Maria's new book, The Empathy Dilemma for your leaders, exec team, (or yourself?!) and GET 30%! https://bit.ly/TEDSpecialPresale Offer ends August 27, 2024!
 
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

What do psychological safety, your team's performance, and sports coaching have in common? Today, you're going to find out how belonging helps you innovate and perform beyond even what you thought possible.

Today, Diana Cutaia defines what we mean by "peace" and that it is more than just the absence of violence. She also breaks down psychological safety and how both of these concepts are related. We talk about why psychological safety is such a buzzword, and why some organizations are merely ticking a box and do not truly understand how creating an environment of belonging unleashes potential. We discuss how a leader's individual behavior is important, but how to go further and address the environment as a whole. Diana shares a few fascinating epiphanies some clients have had when finally understanding what belonging really means. How to create a culture of psychological safety,  and how it impacts performance and risk-taking. 
 
To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:
Creating a better environment doesn’t happen accidentally. You have to remove the bad and intentionally replace it with something good. Move away from trying to make people “feel” like they belong. We just want people to belong. This is a shift in language we can begin to make today. Command and control leadership is not effective in every situation. If your goal is to help people develop new skills, you’ve got to find a way to reach people and create an environment in which they can learn. 

"Psychological safety is not just this idea of the absence of harm, but it is the repair of harm and then the repair of systems that perpetuated that harm." —  Diana Cutaia

 
Episode References: 
The Empathy Edge podcast on psychological safety:Minette Norman: Psychological SafetySusan Hunt Stevens: The ROI Of Psychological SafetyRed Slice blog: What does psychological abuse at work look like?
About Diana Cutaia, President & Founder, Coaching Peace
Diana Cutaia founded Coaching Peace in 2012, but the work started for her 20 years earlier. Today her clients range from school districts to national organizations to global companies. The focus of Coaching Peace is to create positive and safe cultures that empower its members to lead with empathy and understanding.

Connect with Diana:  
Coaching Peace: https://coachingpeace.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianacutaia/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachingPeaceConsultingLlc/ 
Instagram: https://instagram.com/coachingpeacelive 

Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com

PRE-SALE SPECIAL! Pre-order 1 to 99 copies of Maria's new book, The Empathy Dilemma for your leaders, exec team, (or yourself?!) and GET 30%! https://bit.ly/TEDSpecialPresale Offer ends August 27, 2024!
 
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

The most popular question I get, by far, is how to balance empathy and accountability. often a false impression of empathy that makes us ask this question in the first place.

Today, I'm talking with Andrea Butcher, CEO of HRD, a Leadership Development Company. Andrea is a visionary—she knows how to lead organizations from big picture to execution. Today we talk about what emerging leaders are asking for in leadership development programs, which skills they want to strengthen, and what is vital to help all leaders in today's landscape be successful. We discuss how the work of leadership is self-development, how empathy and accountability co-exist, and why clear communication is so vital because you can't hold someone accountable to an expectation that was never set. She shares a lovely story about showing up as yourself, and another about how to respond to someone who has dropped the ball.
 
To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:
Every leader should have a coach. Everyone can benefit from having a safe place to struggle through challenges. As humans, we connect through weakness and vulnerability. But it takes confidence to feel those emotions and show that vulnerability while still recognizing your worth. Asking for feedback from trusted employees and advisors is a great path forward in becoming a better leader. It will do a lot to build trust and reinforce the relationship too.  

"You can't hold someone accountable for an expectation that has not been set. So much of the time it's the lack of clarity that's getting in the way." —  Andrea Butcher

 
Episode References: 
The Empathy Edge Podcast: Claude Silver: Leading With Heart At Vayner MediaThe Empathy Edge Podcast: Anna Liotta: Understanding Generational CodesExecutive Coach Ed Batista article on empathy and accountability
About Andrea Butcher, CEO, HRD

Andrea is a visionary—she knows how to lead organizations from big picture to execution. She is a dynamic speaker, executive coach, and facilitator. As the CEO of HRD - A Leadership Development Company, she leads a national team of expert facilitators and coaches and drives the organization’s growth strategy. She also hosts a daily and weekly leadership podcast, Being [at Work] and is the author of The Power in the Pivot (Red Thread Publishing 2022) and HR Kit for Dummies (Wiley 2023). In 2020, she was recognized by the Indianapolis Women’s Journal as a Woman of Influence. 

Andrea’s work spans organizations of all sizes and industries all over the world; she has experience in global HR positions, consulting, operations, and executive roles for private and public organizations. 

Andrea is also the co-founder and President of Next Gen Talent, a program specifically designed to equip emerging HR leaders for success.

Connect with Andrea:  
Website: https://hrdleadership.com/ 
Being [at Work] and Daily Dose: https://hrdleadership.com/podcasts/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leaderdevelopmentcoach/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.w.moore.3 
Andrea's speaking page: https://hrdleadership.com/andrea-butcher-speaker/ 

Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com

PRE-SALE SPECIAL! Pre-order 1 to 99 copies of Maria's new book, The Empathy Dilemma for your leaders, exec team, (or yourself?!) and GET 30%! https://bit.ly/TEDSpecialPresale Offer ends August 27, 2024!

 
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

When you think of emotional intelligence, there are still many leaders out there who falsely believe it has no place in business. Business is about logic, not emotions, right? Wrong. How can being aware of yourself and others not have a place in an environment where relationships are everything?

My guest today is Robin Hills. He defines emotional intelligence and its core components, the role motivation and empathy play, and why AI won't take over anytime soon. He talks about resilience and shares strategies to manage stress and weather storms in the workplace. Finally, Robin shares a fascinating take on the Intelligence of Emotions and what useful information can be gathered when we learn to properly read emotions - both our own and those of others - so we can move forward and succeed.
 
To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:
Emotional intelligence is more than just the emotions themselves. But the emotions are what make us human. Leave the working without emotions to AI. When humans communicate and empathize with each other, we change each other in the processes, modifying the neural pathways in the brain. That interaction cannot happen in the same way with a robot. Emotional intelligence is always a work in progress. Whether you started studying it today or have been studying it for your entire life, there is always something more to learn.  
"Emotions drive our thinking, emotions drive our decision making, emotions drive everything that we do. Without emotional intelligence, we really are going to be just like the robots." —  Robin Hills

 
Episode References: 
Free Newsletter: Ei-Matters.comThe Empathy Edge: Dr. Michelle Zhou: Empathic AI is Real and It’s Here – But We Need Everyone Involved!The Empathy Edge: Miniter Dial: How to Embed More Heart Into AI
About Robin Hills, Director of Ei4Change, Business Psychologist, and Emotional Intelligence Trainer

Robin is the director of Ei4Change, a company specializing in educational training, coaching and personal development focused around emotional intelligence, positive psychology and neuroscience. He has taught over 400,000 people in 195+ countries how to build resilience,
and increase self-awareness and understanding of others. 

Robin is the author of 2 books and has through his work developed the experiential coaching methodology Images of Resilience to support cathartic conversations around resilience. He has delivered keynote speeches at conferences across the world including at Harvard University and sits on the North West Committee of the Association of Business Psychology.

Connect with Robin Hills:
Ei4change: ei4change.com 
X: twitter.com/Ei4Change 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robinhills 
Facebook: facebook.com/EI4Change 
Instagram: instagram.com/ei4change 

Robin's Courses: courses.ei4change.info/collections

Download this free guide: Developing your Emotional Intelligence
courses.ei4change.info/courses/free-book

Book: The Authority Guide to Behaviour in Business: How to Inspire Others and Build Successful Relationships

Robin's course on empathy: Understanding Empathy


Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com

PRE-SALE SPECIAL! Pre-order 1 to 99 copies of Maria's new book, The Empathy Dilemma for your leaders, exec team, (or yourself?!) and GET 30%! https://bit.ly/TEDSpecialPresale Offer ends August 27, 2004!

 
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

The book is coming! September 10 is the day that The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal Boundaries hits shelves to help leaders dedicated to people-centered practices to get the best performance possible and balance the demands of the business with the needs of their people.

I am so excited to share this with you! For the next 5 months, I'll be devoting a Hot Take episode to one of the 5 core pillars of effective empathetic leaders, outlined in the book. See, I emphasize EFFECTIVE because it's not just about being empathetic - you have to actually perform, deliver, and get results, too. You as a leader can and must balance empathy with accountability. And today we're going to talk about the first pillar to accomplish that…Self-Awareness.
 
To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:
Humility and empathy go hand in hand. You have to let your ego go and embrace your curiosity to learn and grow. Some ways you can become more self-aware include: requesting input from teammates and colleagues, leveraging self-assessment tools (such as the Enneagram, DISC, or Myers Briggs), and learning to listen deeply.You can pre-order now through August 27, 2024, to get 30% off your copy of The Empathy Dilemma  for stories from leaders, and recommendations for tactics to try to put these strategies into practice and benefit from the results.  

"Self-reflection is not woo-woo; it's a smart strategy. You need to cultivate a deep and ever-evolving understanding of your people, as well as of yourself." —  Maria Ross

 
Episode References: 
Check out The Empathy Dilemma pre-sale for 30% off until August 27, 2024: https://bit.ly/TEDSpecialPresale
Find out more about the book and (soon) download a free chapter sneak peek: http://www.TheEmpathyDilemma.com 
Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com

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