Empathy

Earlier this summer I opened up the first session of the PR Council’s Agency-Ready certificate program which was designed to give graduating seniors and college students a chance to learn more about what it’s like to work at a communications agency. In that first session, a participant asked me what I look for most when I’m interviewing candidates. it was an easy answer for me because I actually had written a chapter about it in my new book, “The Conscious Marketer.”

I used to answer that question with “creativity,” but I’ve now decided that it’s table stakes for anyone in this field. I now answer that question with …

Empathy.

If you don’t fundamentally have a passion for understanding how people live their lives and have a fundamental passion for wanting to relate to them as a result, then a career in marketing and communications is going to be very difficult. And working and leading in today’s environment is going to be very difficult.

The chat board instantly lit up with comments from participants who agreed. Two of the participants actually went on to start their own agency called “Empath,” founded on the notion of having empathy! How amazing and inspiring!

Wow!

So then of course I was delighted to hear Michelle Obama talk about empathy on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention, virtually! Not from a political perspective, but from a human one. Relating to each other, honoring each other, and helping each other is the only way through all of this. For all of us, especially those who need our help the most. Especially for those who live in fear of danger or feel unsafe.

Empathy, Not just a required trait for a job interview but for life itself.

What’s your experience? JIM