Why is Empathy a catalyst for Business Innovation? I never used to understand this myself, now I do.
Why is empathy a catalyst for Business Innovation? If anyone had told me a couple years ago that empathy was essential to innovation and profit, I would never have taken them seriously. I mean how can such a soft skill like empathy have a place in hard innovation and profit, right? It was only after years of studying and lecturing business innovation that I now understand the immense value of empathy, why and how it truly unlocks innovation quicker than any other skill.
So, lets back track a little and understand what empathy is and what business innovation is and how they are possibly linked.
Merriam-Webster describes empathy as, “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner”.
Tim Brown describes innovation as the process of receiving inspiration and through ideation and implementation, converting ideas into products and services of value. The process is described as being human centered, the conceptualizing of an idea for a human being by a human being.
The link between innovation and empathy, is that the more Empathy a catalyst one is the deeper they are able to connect with a stakeholder. This connection and ability to feel the pain of another or desire to enable another, is a catalyst for inspiration and ideation.
The greater the depth of your feeling for another and the more closely you understand their environment the better able you are to solve their problem and the more effective your solution. Innovation is all about problem solving and creative solutions of value.
So how does one begin to cultivate Empathy a catalyst, how do we step out of our model of the world, suspend our belief systems and step into the world of another? In my opinion we first need to become aware of our unconscious bias and through that knowledge begin to understand that our perspective on the world may not actually be reality, it is just our reality.
Reflect on how diverse your circles are and how inclusive you are of views that differ to your own. A quick tip would be to master the art of listening to understand as opposed to listening to reply. This alone will allow the cultivation of greater empathy for another, fueling your ability to innovate.
We will dive a little deeper next week into diversity. A topic that is gaining increasing momentum given its immense value in business innovation. It has been noted by McKinsey that diversity boosts innovation value by up to 35%!
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Springbok Rugby Legends: Inspiring Your Next Conference with Championship Leadership In South Africa, rugby is more than a sport—it’s a symbol of unity, resilience, and national pride. The legacy of the Springboks runs deep, and their influence extends far beyond the field. At Speakers Inc., we’re proud to represent a distinguished group of Springbok legends […]
Why Every Event Needs a Dynamic Emcee or Moderator – And Why Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp Is the Perfect Fit When it comes to planning a successful event, whether it’s a high-level business summit, an awards gala, or an industry panel discussion, there’s one crucial role that often doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves: the emcee or […]
Top 5 Artificial Intelligence Speakers in South Africa you should book this week Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a concept reserved for sci-fi movies or tech labs. It’s reshaping how we work, connect, make decisions, and innovate across industries. From healthcare to finance, agriculture to education, AI is transforming the way we live and […]
Barry Hilton: From Belly Laughs to Boardrooms – South Africa’s Favourite Cousin Goes Corporate If there’s one man who can make a room full of CEOs snort-laugh their flat whites through their noses and walk away feeling more connected, inspired, and human, it’s Barry Hilton. Known lovingly as “The Cousin,” Barry has spent the last […]
Why Business Strategy Speakers Are Essential for Modern Conference Events In today’s increasingly competitive and complex business environment, strategic thinking has become a non-negotiable skill for companies determined to stay ahead. Markets shift. Customer expectations evolve. Technology disrupts entire industries overnight. It is within this ever-changing landscape that the presence of a business strategy speaker […]
Mark Berger: Premier Sales Speaker South Africa Transforming Teams One Talk at a Time Sales is not just the backbone of a business—it’s the heartbeat. It’s the pulse that keeps companies alive, thriving, and growing. And if there’s one person who understands how to amplify that pulse, it’s Mark Berger. Across South Africa, Mark Berger […]
Inspiring Voices: Top Motivational Speakers South Africa for Your Next Event When planning an event that aims to inspire, motivate, and leave a lasting impact, selecting the right speaker is crucial. South Africa boasts a wealth of talent in the realm of motivational speaking, with individuals whose stories and insights resonate across diverse audiences. Here’s […]
Wendy Mahoney: Redefining Business Innovation for the Future-Focused Organisation In a world awash with buzzwords like “innovation,” “agility,” and “digital transformation,” few experts are bold enough—or knowledgeable enough—to redefine what these terms actually mean. Enter Wendy Mahoney, a strategic powerhouse in the field of business innovation whose insights aren’t just timely, they’re transformational. For event […]
