I met Loren over 5 years ago through our involvement in the HR and teaching community. From the first interaction, I felt as though Loren and I had known each other for years. We connected because of our passion for human resources and our desire to understand and empathize with others. Following in Loren's footsteps as a leader in a volunteer organization, I valued her insights and advice. She was always there to support me and listened wholeheartedly to issues that arose. She accepted new ideas brought forth and embraced change. Loren's natural tendency to show empathy and compassion shines through in all that she does.
This book will help you gain perspective when interacting with others. Whether in the workplace or your personal life, you will understand how to make empathy your superpower. Empathy allows you to form deeper relationships and be a better team member and partner. You will learn how not to experience the difficult situations Loren went through earlier in her career. This book is worth the read and provides practical tips on how to live and lead with empathy.
-Jodi Coplan, MS, SPHR, SCP, Head of Human Resources, Capgemini Invent North AmericaThe existential crisis we live in today necessitates a more empathetic leadership style. The challenge I've seen is how to blend empathy with setting clear expectations and holding people accountable. Loren Sanders breaks down into clear, practical, and actionable steps how to develop greater empathy for others. What's most refreshing is she does it by sharing stories of how she first learned these lessons-by failing, staying curious, being able to self-reflect, and committing to lifelong learning. This is the path for deep personal growth for all of us and now we have a roadmap that can help us build a very critical skill we need more and more these days.
-Laila Tarraf,
Author, Strong Like Water,
former Chief People Officer, Allbirds
It's estimated that less than half of leaders regularly access empathy. In the general population, I would expect that number to be even lower. Empathy is Not a Weakness will help us address this systemic problem. Loren starts the book off with a vulnerable story about one of her direct reports resigning. She is soon blindsided and realizes that her own lack of empathy is destroying relationships. Loren then presents other scenarios, stories, and practices that will help us further understand and access empathy on a regular basis, so we don't make the same mistakes that she did.
-LaTonya Wilkins,
Author, Leading Below the Surface,
Founder and CEO, Change Coaches