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The Limits of Empathy

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We all know that empathy is essential to effective leadership, management, product development, marketing—pretty much any aspect of business that involves people. But it has its limits. Empathy taxes us mentally and emotionally, it’s not an infinite resource, and it can even impair our ethical judgment. That’s why if we demand too much of it from employees, performance will suffer. You can take steps to prevent the ill effects and promote the good. For instance, have people focus on certain sets of stakeholders, help them meet others’ needs in ways that also address their own, and give them empathy breaks so they can replenish their reserves. A few years ago, Ford Motor Company started asking its (mostly male) engineers to wear the Empathy Belly, a simulator that allows them to experience symptoms of pregnancy firsthand—the back pain, the bladder pressure, the 30 or so pounds of extra weight. They can even feel “movements” that mimic fetal kicking. The idea is to get them to understand

Psychology The Limits of Empathy It can be exhausting and impair judgment. by Adam Waytz From the Magazine (January–February 2016) Return, 2014, aluminum (found cans), wire, vinyl paint Paul Villinski Summary . Empathy is all the rage pretty much everywhere. It’s touted as a critical leadership skill, one that helps you influence others in your organization, anticipate stakeholders’ concerns, ... more Leer en español Ler em português Post Post Share Save Get PDF Buy Copies Print A few years ago, Ford Motor Company started asking its (mostly male) engineers to wear the Empathy Belly, a simulato

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