kinstler_andrew_gear_up.md

Gear Up

Reflections

Empathy is one of the backbones to my moral structure. Everyone comes from a different place and that needs to be acknowleged. Empathy has given me the mindset to respect not only others, but also myself, which I think is something that isn't talked about enough. It's foresight to see what someone else might be going through, this is advantageous on many fronts, including working on a team or talking to strangers on the street. It helps in development because something that is often not thought about outside of this industry is accessibility. There are a TON of deaf or blind internet users and they should have access to the internet also. One of the biggest moments where empathy in a team setting has helped me was when I was working very closely with a pregnant woman. There were intense mood swings and freak outs, but I was always able to approach all of it with a level head because I knew that there was pain going on that I could never understand. It changes you, and subsequently, your perspective. I find it most difficult to be empathetic in team scenarios when people aren't willing to listen to other people, not even just myself. I think I could best change that by being maybe, a little less confrontational and realizing that sometimes standing up for things in the wrong way illicits a defensive response out of people and undermines the whole purpose of what I'm trying to accomplish.