Empathy Is Not Enough

You need perspective-taking.

We talk a lot about empathy — but too little about perspective-taking.

Empathy without perspective-taking is like trying to navigate a maze with your eyes closed.

When you have empathy, you understand others’ emotions, feelings, and motivations from YOUR point of view.

When you have perspective-taking, you understand others’ emotions, feelings, and motivations from THEIR point of view.

It’s a totally different game, right?

Without perspective-taking, our empathy lacks depth.

Without perspective-taking, it’s hard to connect with people deeply.

So, let’s try not to stop at “I feel…”

Let’s try to move on to the next phase: “I’m in their shoes, and I feel…”

It’s not just what we feel — it’s what we feel in other people’s shoes.