Empathy

The week of 1/22, we were asked to examine our empathetic traits, as six listed senses that leaders have are design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning. We were asked to watch a Dan Pink interview with Oprah, then to take Simon Baron-Cohen's Empathy Quotient test (click here to find your empathy quotient).

Following up on the assignment, we were asked to answer the following:

• How empathetic are you?
• Do you agree with the findings of the test?
• Can you believe you can be taught empathy?
• Please mention someone you think shows empathy, citing why you consider them to be an empathetic person; and name someone you know that is lacking in empathy, citing examples of their lack of empathy.

My Baron-Cohen Empathy Quotient is 23, on a scale from 20 (lowest) to 80 (highest). The test issues a note with this rating saying that people who score between 20 and 25 often have traits of Aspberger's Syndrome and do not socialize easily. Considering that I have one focus and don't socialize easily, I understand that I exhibit qualities of the syndrome, though I believe that I've grown out of many habits that most affected people have! I don't agree that I'm that un-empathetic, but I do agree with the aforementioned part.

I believe you can be taught to care about other people and given situations to practice this, so yes, you can be taught empathy.

To be updated...