Empathy isn't just a feeling, it's a skill, and this week Dr. Melissa hands you tool #2 in her three-part empathy toolkit: the three words "help me understand." She walks through exactly why those three words work, shares a deeply personal story about losing her mom and feeling unseen in grief, and unpacks the "pit" metaphor for what empathy really looks like in practice. Then she takes on the AMA questions everyone's been asking, including the big one going around right now: can you actually be "too empathetic"? (Spoiler: she's got thoughts on Elon Musk's "suicidal empathy" comment.)
Whether you're leading a team, parenting across generations, or just trying to understand someone you disagree with, this episode gives you a tool you can use today.
Try it this week: Next time you don't understand something, or someone, just say the words: "help me understand." Then stop and listen. Let us know how it goes in the comments.
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Grab my #1 bestselling book “The Empathic Leader” here: https://a.co/d/8IfKm3M
Listen in any of your favorite podcast platform:
► APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-empathic-leader/id1796715528
► SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ChVQGgl5l1jqAfxdoR0EG?si=1wRZC3DbS9KvhLYTggkuhg
► AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0158b2cb-7bec-4135-a2c0-2f594d21109b/the-empathic-leader
CONNECT WITH ME:
► Instagram: @empathyqueen.eq
► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eqviaempathy
► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/
► About Dr. Robinson-Winemiller:
What do empathy and a treadmill have in common? Both need action to deliver results.
Quiet quitting. Resenteeism. Post-pandemic stress. AI. Modern leaders face challenges unimaginable in the past, and the pace of change is relentless. The old command-and-control leadership style is obsolete. Leaders today must evolve or risk irrelevance. But leadership now goes beyond dashboards and spreadsheets—so, what’s the answer?
Melissa Robinson-Winemiller is the answer. With over 20 years of leadership experience, two doctorates (including one focused on empathy in leadership), an MBA, and multiple certifications in change management and DEI, she helps leaders achieve greater profits, retention, productivity, and innovation.
Her mission? To elevate leadership through the often-overlooked power of EQ and empathy. As a coach and consultant, Melissa draws on expertise, data-driven insights, and proven results to guide leaders through today’s complexities.
► Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide professional, medical, or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional or licensed provider with any specific and personal questions you may have regarding personal or professional concerns.
