“But empathy
can be draining!”
protested
the founder.
“Give me
an example
of a time
when empathy
drained you.”
I asked.
“In my last 1-on-1
I wanted to tell my employee
how horrible
they were doing.
But I kept my mouth shut
because I didn’t want
to hurt him.”
she answered.
“What emotions did you feel
when you thought of
the possibility
of hurting him?”
I asked.
“Worry.”
she answered.
“There is nothing wrong
with feeling worry.
In fact, I appreciate your willingness to notice
and to acknowledge it.
At the same time,
I want to invite you
to not blame empathy
for our worry.”