Empathy as Your Secret Weapon in Business

As someone who has got the travel bug, you’re probably also an empath… you’ve probably spent many a night listening to the philosophical musings or weepy tales of fellow travelers. You’re no stranger to putting yourself in someone else’s shoes (either figuratively or literally 😇) - it’s part of what is so enriching about jumping on planes to far off lands to explore and immerse yourself in another culture.

That same natural skill - that curiosity and open-mindedness - can also become your secret weapon in your business life when actively refined and practiced.

What Is Empathy?

When I refer to empathy, I am thinking of it from the lens of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a methodology founded by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg in the 1960s/70s. Rosenberg said, “empathy lies in our ability to be present without opinion.” So often, we’re quick to jump in with judgements, opinions, advice… we want to solve problems, create solutions and be helpful to someone else. 

The practice of empathy is actually more akin to active listening - it’s about being as present as possible with the other person in a way that allows them full sovereignty and invites connection. You don’t presume to know better for them, you simply listen and try to hear what is truly going on for them (you listen for the underlying needs).

The Power of Empathy

NVC posits that we are constantly communicating our met or unmet needs and vying to get them met via our desired strategy. “Needs” are things like celebration, safety, love, authenticity, freedom, clarity… the fundamental building blocks of life that, underneath the lens of our experiences, we all share. Our needs are what connect us as humans.

When we are heard in our needs, aka listened to with empathy, everything changes. We soften, we open, we connect, we trust, we build a stronger relationship.

Empathy becomes your superpower in the workplace, whether you’re a founder, manager or “simply” an employee - it’s about leveling up your emotional intelligence (EQ) by adding empathy to your toolkit. 

Practical Tools for Practicing Empathy 

Fill your own cup first. This means taking care of yourself and your own needs so that you’re able to be fully present with another person. For me, this can look like meditation, journaling, yoga or the gym or a cuddle with my son.

Start an ‘empathy dyad’. Set up a regular 20-minute meeting with a colleague or friend (can be IRL or online) in which you each “receive” empathy for 10 minutes (aka listen to the other person) and each also have 5 minutes to interact (as the empathy giver, share what needs you heard and, as the empathy receiver, share what it felt like to be listened to in this way). PS: This is a great exercise for weekly team-building and saved my personal relationship with a previous co-founder.

Use empathy in decision-making. Stripping away all the noise and getting into the needs at the heart of an issue can really shift things. Try asking yourself  questions like ‘What does my team need from me?’ or ‘What is my client truly needing in this challenging moment?’ 

Empathy, practiced intentionally, is transformative not only for personal relationships but also for business success. For digital nomads or founders alike, these tools offer a way to stay grounded, foster real connections, and handle conflict gracefully, no matter where work takes you.

About Magdalena Jensen

Hi! I’m Magdalena Jensen, certified conflict mediator and transformative coach with a global perspective. With a background in Nonviolent Communication, I specialize in helping leaders and entrepreneurs turn conflicts into opportunities for growth. Having co-founded three companies and navigated complex relationships across cultures, I bring a wealth of experience in fostering peace and integrity within organizations. My mission is simple: to create a culture where peace leads to prosperity. 

If you’re curious to explore how empathy-led practices can support you and your team, let’s connect. My approach injects Nonviolent Communication into conflict coaching or mediation to help visionary founders turn challenges into opportunities. Reach out to learn more about how empathy can be your secret weapon in business!

Be sure to check out my FREE guided empathy meditation - a great way to fill your own empathy cup in just 12 minutes.

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