The Laws of Charisma

CHAPTER 29

EMPATHY:COMPASSION CREATES FRIENDSHIP

If your emotional abilities aren’t in hand, if you don’t have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can’t have empathy and have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far.

—DANIEL GOLEMAN

The word empathy has both Latin and Greek roots. The two parts of the word mean “to see through” and “the eye of the other.” The ability to see through the eye of another creates long-term charisma. When people know that you can see what they see, feel what they feel, and hurt the way they hurt, then they will be willing to let you influence them. Empathy is more than being aware of other people’s emotions and feelings. ...