"Our company leads with empathy." You hear a lot about the need for empathy today. The problem is, most people think they're empathetic--but when they encounter someone who has a different set of beliefs or values, empathy goes out the window. But it's important to remember: Empathy doesn't equal agreement. Chris Voss, the FBI's former lead kidnap negotiator, gets this. Voss was tasked with developing empathy for kidnappers and terrorists. He had to empathize with them--to understand their their state of mind, their reasons and motivations--if he had any chance of persuading them to give up their victims. Of course, he rarely agreed with them. (They were hardened criminals, after all.) But he did try to understand them. Every day you're faced with countless opportunities to persuade, influence, and negotiate. If the other person feels understood, they'll try to understand you. And that's the first step towards finding a win-win solution. So, remember: Empathy doesn't equal agreement. It's all about understanding. Read more in "EQ Applied: The Real-World Guide to Emotional Intelligence": https://amzn.to/2sxFLho #EmotionalIntelligence #leadership #empathy #BestAdvice #PersonalDevelopment #BusinessIntelligence #careers #EQApplied #MakeEmotionsWorkForYouNotAgainstYou …see more