I believe that the simplest mind shifts can be the most profound and yet often they seem to elude us in this fast paced, ever changing world we live in.

In order to really tap into the pulse of what is happening in your life, business and world, it is really important to slow down and be mindful of how you “show up” because, when all is said and done, the juicy stuff happens in those moments when you are present to them.

You can make tons of money and never be happy. You can have all kinds of things and feel empty and you can have tons of recognition and still feel small.

Life is funny that way.

The smoke and mirrors of what seem really important often leads us down paths that don’t fulfill us and leave us hungry for more.

Who you are and how you show up is what counts. I am talking about your highest and best self. This is the self that has empathy for people-who tries to see the world through their eyes without judging-who strives to understand what it might be like to “walk in their shoes”.

Now I am not here to preach morality and am certainly not Mother Theresa, but I have always tried to understand what it might be like to walk in someone else’s shoes. We are so quick to judge people instead of understand them first.

It is pretty obvious how you can empathize with people on a day to day basis and it certainly would be a prominent factor in creating world peace. When we try and look at things through other’s eyes and understand them from their point of view, what their life might be like, it softens our hearts.

You might ask-how does this quality help me in my business?

Here are some benefits for leading with empathy in your business:

o       Your customers will feel heard when you are truly looking at things as they may see them. For example it is interesting how eye opening it is when a Real Estate Agent has to sell his/her house. This personal perspective of having gone through this may cause the Realtor to make the process easier for the Sellers that he/she works with in the future. This Real Estate Agent may be more compassionate when Sellers complain about the  sometimes stressful parts of the process. And the customer will feel heard-which is huge!

o       If you understand your clients, through their point of view, it is easier to market to them. Basically, you will be speaking to them from a deeper place.

o       You will be the “go to “person because you “get” your customer. It is far easier to get repeat business from a past client than to get business from a cold lead.

Basically, no matter which way you slice it, showing empathy is a nice way to show people that you care, you “see” them and will help them get what they want.

And frankly, it will give you a great feeling as well to know that you endowed your client’s experience  with that special sauce that is often missing-genuine care and compassion.

So start by asking yourself “Where could I show more empathy?” and watch the magic that you create.

Your Partner in Success,

Marianne Cherico