The Empathy Edge Maria Ross

Empathetic marketing is having a moment. But really, this trend has been a long time coming. Buyers today are savvy, everything is available online, and they have no patience for brands that don't understand them or their needs. My guest today, Tim Leon, coined the term Return on Empathy and talks about all that companies gain when they engage in more empathetic marketing tactics.

We discuss what empathy marketing means, why marketers should embrace it, and how it applies equality to B2B as well as B2C brands. We share data that shows why buyers are choosing empathetic brands, and why this is not just a trend, but a transformative moment in how we market and sell. And finally, we share actionable strategies to inject more empathy into your marketing - not least of which is understanding where marketing's limitations end and your culture, leadership, and policies need to also become part of the effort.
 
To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:
Ask customers what challenges they’re facing, not just what they think about your product or service. You’ve got to go deeper to better understand and empathize with them. Now more than ever, the companies that portray ads that promote well-being and comfort are the companies that people want to do business with. They don’t want a hard sell, they want to feel good about the brands they’re working with. You have to sell to people, whether you’re working B2B or B2C. People want authenticity and empathy from the organizations they work with, no matter what industry they’re in.  
"Return on Empathy means if you're delivering empathy authentically and honestly, you're building customer loyalty and protected market share." —  Tim Leon

 
Episode References:
Geile Leon Marketing Communications Return on Empathy white paper: https://bit.ly/44MiSrYPepsiCo/Ipsos Mori research study on empathy and brandsDenise Roberson: Mistakes Leaders and Boards Make When Thinking About PurposeLisa McLeod: Selling with Noble Purpose to WinPhil Preston: Profit with PurposeEmily Vernon: Are You Gathering the Right Customer Insights?Sandy Thompson: How to Make People Fall in Love with Your Brand
About Tim Leon, President, Geile Leon Marketing Communications
Tim Leon is the President of Geile Leon Marketing Communications. The firm was founded in 1989 and has served clients locally, regionally, and nationally. The firm is celebrating its 34th year in business and is located in The Hill Neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, Tim's role at the agency includes brand strategy/planning for clients, new business development, and a host of other duties that come with owning a small business!

Connect with Tim Leon:
Geile Leon Marketing Communications: geileon.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timleon
Facebook: facebook.com/GeileLeonMarketingCommunications

Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: 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%! 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

According to the NIH, an estimated 6.7M Americans 65+ are living with Alzheimer's dementia. This number could grow to 13.8 million by 2060 barring the development of medical breakthroughs. Today, you'll learn why dementia is not a disease, but a symptom, and what caregivers go through, experience, and need - especially from their managers and workplace colleagues.

I talk with Barbara J. Huelat about what dementia is, how emotional interventions are more effective than cognitive ones, and how to create more healing environments in hospitals and workspaces. You’ll gain empathy for your colleagues who are dementia caregivers, as Barbara shares her personal experience caring for her mother and husband, and she talks about what workplaces can do to better support caregivers in the office to help them continue to perform and do their best work.
 
To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:
Emotional memories are those with our senses - these memories can reach a person with dementia where language or cognitive memories cannot.It is critical to prepare your helpers and part-time caregivers if you are away to give everyone the best chance for success, much like having a disaster plan.Be flexible, don’t try to change reality, and give information rather than asking questions. You can go far with that, even when there are mistakes and challenges.
"Be understanding of what they're going through. There's a very large emotional drain on the person. The caregiver is often considered the second patient as their health risks skyrocket while taking care because it’s long-term chronic stress that doesn’t go away like acute stress." —  Barbara Huelat

About Barbara J. Hiuelat
Barbara J. Huelat is a prominent Human Centric Healthcare Designer, author, and speaker. She has created healing environments and solved health challenges for more than 300 healthcare organizations and serves as a healing environment consultant to healthcare facilities, product manufacturers, academia, institutions, and the architectural design community. By placing humanity at the core, her pioneering mindset proves that human-centric designs impact healing, improve the human experience, affect health outcomes, and are cost-effective.

Ms. Huelat’s latest work, Taming the Chaos of Dementia: A Caregiver's Guide to Interventions that Make a Difference, provides a compassionate and insightful guide to those facing the tumultuous journey of dementia, offering solace, support, and practical strategies to navigate this challenging path. Currently, she shares human-centric designs globally via lecturers at international conferences, universities, and organizations and through research collaborations with government agencies and universities, contributing to white papers and research articles. Always fascinated with the beauty of science and the science of design, she believes human-centric design experiences can mitigate human misery.

Connect with Barbara Huelat
Website: barbarahuelat.com
X: x.com/huelat92456
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/barbara-huelat-fasid-aahid-edac-89061213
Facebook: facebook.com/barbarajhuelat
Instagram: instagram.com/bhuelat

Book: Taming the Chaos of Dementia: A Caregiver's Guide to 9 Interventions that Make a Difference

Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: 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%! 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
Book your free seat to Maria's masterclass her

Today we're diving into Pillar Four of the 5 Pillars of Effective Empathetic Leadership featured in the new book coming September 10, The Empathy Dilemma - Decisiveness. 

Yes, factoring in various viewpoints is the way forward for empathetic leaders - and enables us to see more opportunities and avoid more risks. But we must combine that with swift and decisive action to make a call. Leaving your people in limbo or avoiding difficult conversations is unkind. And leaves your people paralyzed, unsure of what to believe, do, or expect next. 

In our dive into decisiveness today, I talk about what decisiveness is and why it is important. And I’ll hone in on six strategies that you can start using today to be more decisive. More details, examples, and tactics to try can be found in The Empathy Dilemma, so don’t forget to snag your presale copy now at TheEmpathyDilemma.com.  

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

Key Takeaways:
Avoiding employees until you have something to report isn’t empathetic - get in the habit of giving status updates, even if it is just “we’re working on it.”Dithering over your decision does not demonstrate empathy. Not knowing what decision to make, no matter how you mask it, demonstrates fear and insecurity.Learn to be clearer more quickly. Talk openly about the choices you’re making whenever possible.Put a deadline on your thoughts. It’s not about making good choices, it’s about making good choices in a timely manner.  

"Perfection isn’t the goal, even when it comes to high-stakes choices. Don’t succumb to analysis paralysis. Instead, gather input, decide, and move forward with a sense of curiosity and experimentation." —  Maria Ross

 
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
Book your free seat to Maria's masterclass here- https://bit.ly/4StepBrandStory

What does it mean to tap into empathy and reimagine the life and experiences of someone only mentioned in a few sentences in history, whose story remains untold?

My guest is Esther Goldenberg, educator and author of the Biblical fiction novel, The Scrolls of Deborah. We discuss how a few lines in the Bible sparked Esther's curiosity to imagine this woman's entire life story and perspective, how seeing historical events from other points of view can be so valuable and fill in gaps or change hearts, and how books and stories help us nourish empathy and relate to others from a safe distance. We also talk about how writing can be a lonely endeavor and what creating something for the world that only exists in your head feels like.

Esther even reads us a passage from the novel that is a shining example of an empathetic conversation so pay attention to that debrief as well!

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

Key Takeaways:
Build a practice of engaging in literature, music, documentaries, movies, and other media created by people and about people who have different life perspectives than you. It will build and foster empathy.As human beings, we can become numb to large numbers surrounding tragic events. By bringing it into the story of one person or one family, such as in historical fiction, it can remind the readers that it is about the one, even among the many.Scenes in books and movies can model empathy for those who do not necessarily see it in their daily lives. 
"Through fiction, people get to really see themselves in the characters and see the characters as people who they get to know. And that really creates fertile ground for empathy." —  Esther Goldenberg

Episode References:
Shira Guru and the unSTUCK methodThe Empathy Edge podcast: Chris L. Johnson: When Leaders Pause, They Win
About Esther Goldenberg, Educator and Author, The Scrolls of Deborah
Esther Goldenberg is a native Chicagoan, author, educator, and mother. Once a reluctant reader, but always someone who enjoyed a good story, she developed a passion for writing.  Her much anticipated Biblical fiction novel, The Scrolls of Deborah, is available in paperback, e-book, and audio formats. Esther continues to write and teach students of all ages, with most of her workshops now tying in with themes from her book.

Connect with Esther Goldenberg: 
Website: EstherGoldenberg.com
Book: The Scrolls of Deborah: amazon.com/Scrolls-Deborah-Esther-Goldenberg/dp/195590541X
Facebook: facebook.com/EstherGoldenbergAuthor
Instagram: instagram.com/EstherGoldenbergAuthor

Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: 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%! 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

Book your free seat to Maria's masterclass here- https://bit.ly/4StepBrandStory

How do you get analytical, process-driven people like engineers, lawyers, and doctors to see the value of empathy and human connection? It's not that they CAN'T embrace it. It's just that they see the world and how to solve problems differently.

My guest, Dr. Nicole Price believes two things: 1) everyone wants to do a good job and 2) empathetic leadership is critical to helping to leverage that desire. Today we talk about how she became an empathy revolutionary, how to open up a broader path to empathy, and why diversity doesn't work when saddled by apathy. Dr. Price shares how a traumatic event opened up her capacity to connect through emotion and better impact performance - and why she now helps others understand that those who are emotional can also be logical. We discuss how to link accountability to commitment and why her role as a translator helps logical thinkers understand they don't have an empathy deficit, but that there are multiple roads to empathy that are a better fit for the way they experience the world.

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

Key Takeaways:
When people understand people better, it transforms them from the outside in. They don’t need to be practicing empathy for the right reason initially, but it will change most people eventually.It is not unusual for doctors, lawyers, and engineers to think they are better than those who are not at the same level as them. This is a barrier to empathy, but one that can be overcome.Empathy is a method of information gathering. For some, they will be attracted to that rather than the emotions of empathy. There is no wrong way to begin your practice of empathy.
"Engineers are taught to listen for accuracy. But when I'm trying to be empathetic, listening for accuracy is not helpful to me. I'm supposed to be listening for understanding." —  Dr. Nicole Price

 
Episode References: 
Rhonda George-Denniston: Why Betting on Your People Leads to Market DominationNever Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Dr. Nicole Price, CEO, Lively Paradox and author of Spark the Heart: Engineering Empathy in Your Organization

Dr. Nicole Price believes two things: 1) everyone wants to do a good job 2) empathetic leadership is critical to helping to leverage that desire. She is an empathy revolutionary who teaches leaders how to build more empathy in organizations. Her clients range from manufacturing facilities to school districts. She is the author of seven books centered on being an exceptional leader—most notably Spark the Heart: Engineering Empathy in Your Organization.


Connect with Dr. Nicole Price:
Email: nicole@livelyparadox.com
Lively Paradox: drnicoleprice.com
X: twitter.com/DrNicolePrice
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicoledeniseprice
Facebook: facebook.com/nicole.denise.price
Instagram: instagram.com/drnicoleprice
Threads: threads.net/@drnicoleprice
Book: Spark the Heart: Engineering Empathy in Your Organization

Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: 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%! 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
Book your free seat to Maria's masterclass here- https://bit.ly/4StepBrandStory

We talk a lot about the importance of self-awareness and self-care in helping you be a more empathetic and effective leader. In fact, those are two of my five pillars in my book, The Empathy Dilemma because they are vital to being a more effective leader and human. You may think of the traditional modalities, but have you considered hypnosis?

Today, my guest is Amy Koford. We discuss how Amy got into this work, the power she's discovered in how hypnosis works, why it transforms lives, and she busts some myths about hypnosis. Amy talks about how trauma can show up, how to take traumatic memories and replace the associated emotions, how people show up as work based on who they are and what they've been through, and how you can embrace forgiveness through empathy to rise above past trauma. She'll share how you can show up as the leader and colleague you want to be.
 
To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:
Everyone can be hypnotized, it may take different forms for some people, but it does not negate the potential benefits.Insecurities are a bigger deal than many realize. Many successful people are extremely insecure and those insecurities push them to prove themselves to others and fill the void of the insecurities, but still be in turmoil inside.A lack of empathy often causes many social misunderstandings and team dysfunctions, but the root of that is usually fear.

"People don't want to grow up to be a jerk or to be an annoying person at the workplace. That's just not what they really want to be…When we're in the workplace, it's important to understand that people are the way they are for reasons and very good reasons. And that helps you have empathy." —  Amy Koford

Episode References:
The Empathy Edge episodes on trauma:
Katharine Manning: How Trauma Impacts Performance – And What Smart Leaders Can Do
Charna Cassell: Recognizing And Regulating Trauma At Work – Yours And Others

About Amy Koford, the Happy Hypnotist & author of Hardwired to Rise
Amy, The Happy Hypnotist has been a professional hypnotist, public speaker, hypnosis show performer and more for several years to transform the lives of numerous people. She’s the creator of The Trauma Protocol which takes individuals from traumatized to optimized in just weeks. Amy is the author of, Hardwired to Rise: Eye-Opening Truths about How Fear Holds You Back, Causes Suffering - and How to Liberate Yourself to Have the Thriving Life You Deserve.

She has traveled the world to attend hypnosis conferences and has been trained, mentored, certified, and taught mastery skills from the top hypnotists on the planet. Amy specializes in happiness and peace with various techniques that are effective in helping people resolve and let go of the past and change their center to become positive, confident, empowered individuals who know their amazing abilities to live their best lives.

Connect with Amy:
Amy the Happy Hypnotist: amykoford.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amy-koford-012637184
Facebook: facebook.com/amythehappyhypnotist
Instagram: instagram.com/amythehappyhypnotist
Threads: threads.net/@amykoford
Book: Hardwired to Rise: Eye-Opening Truths about How Fear Holds You Back, Causes Suffering - and How to Liberate Yourself to Have the Thriving Life You Deserve

Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: 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%! 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
Book your free seat to Maria's m