- What role does empathy play in your life and how has it helped you?
Empathy has played a large role in my life. In my previous career of 16 years I was a coach. I coached athletes from 6 years old to adult aged athletes. At the time I did not realize taking time to listen to (and turning off/pausing my own thoughts and wants) the athletes I coached was being empathetic toward them. I really wanted to understand what was troubling them and how I could help. I think this one was of the skills that I possessed as a coach that help me create lasting connections with athletes I coached may with whom I am still in contact with today from all over the world.
- How does empathy help you build better software?
I immediately can see a connection to building software solutions for users and how listening to their needs can be an integral part of creating solutions that match those needs. Using the knowledge you have as a developer of technology and matching those solutions to your end client can aid in creating meaningful software.
- Why is empathy important for working on a team?
Empathy on a team is one of if not the most important aspects of working on and with a team. If you take the time to listen to others you can better understand them and what they are feeling. The ability to feel what others are feeling or at least understanding other team mates feelings will create an environment where each member feels the are able to contribute to the team without reprise.
- Describe a situation in which your ability to empathize with a colleague or teammate was helpful.
Being on teams as an athlete and as a team member in the Army empathy has proved a valuable skill to have. Many times on a team people will have a difference of opinion and this can lead to situations that can volatile in nature. Taking a second to understand a team member can help diffuse a situation, and help the team/team members come to resolution without conflict.
- When do you find it most difficult to be empathetic in professional settings? How can you improve your skills when faced with these scenarios?
I have found difficulty being empathetic in professional settings when tasked with new leadership roles. I feel my lack of experience in a leadership role was the one of the largest contributing factors to my inability to lead. Finding more experienced leaders and seeking motorship would have been one solution to improving my skills in this area.