In this episode of "Leveraging Thought Leadership" with host Peter Winick, the guest is Rob Volpe, a keynote speaker, award-winning author, and trainer who focuses on promoting empathy in the workplace. Volpe is the author of "Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time," and founder and chairman of Ignite 360, a marketing and research firm that emphasizes empathy.

Volpe discusses his journey to becoming a thought leader, starting from a background in Hollywood where he became interested in marketing and understanding human behavior. His journey eventually led him to realize that empathy was the key to his success. Through storytelling, he shares how empathy can be used to understand others and build better relationships, which also contributes to improving business outcomes.

He recounts his experience growing up in a small town in Indiana, where he used empathy as a survival skill to navigate bullying. This led him to understand others' perspectives, even when he didn't agree with them, and helped him develop a communication style that fostered positive relationships.

Volpe addresses the question of whether empathy is innate or developed. He likens it to a muscle that needs constant exercise to grow stronger, emphasizing that leaders should promote empathetic cultures. However, he notes that many CEOs struggle with empathy, as they fear losing respect if they show vulnerability in the workplace.

Despite these challenges, Volpe believes that a culture of empathy can improve business metrics. Studies are emerging that support this idea, demonstrating that empathetic organizations perform better over time. The challenge, however, lies in changing long-held beliefs about workplace dynamics and encouraging a shift toward embracing emotional intelligence (EQ).

Finally, Volpe discusses the services he offers through Ignite 360 and his keynotes. His audience includes professional workplaces where empathy can improve customer service, finance, and other functions that require a higher degree of emotional intelligence. He provides training and presentations that help organizations understand and apply empathy to create better work environments.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Empathy as a Core Skill: Rob Volpe emphasizes the importance of empathy in both personal and professional contexts. He shares how empathy can be developed like a muscle through consistent practice and active engagement. This skill not only improves workplace dynamics but also enhances customer relationships and overall business performance.

• The Role of Empathy in Leadership: Many CEOs recognize the need for empathy in fostering a positive workplace culture, yet many struggle with vulnerability and fear of losing respect. Volpe underscores the importance of empathetic leadership in setting the tone for an organization, encouraging a shift toward embracing emotional intelligence (EQ) despite long-held corporate beliefs.

• Empathy's Impact on Business Success: Volpe discusses studies that demonstrate a correlation between empathetic organizations and better business outcomes. He points out that while industries like tech and healthcare may not traditionally prioritize empathy, they can benefit from embracing it to improve customer experiences and employee satisfaction. His work at Ignite 360 aims to help organizations build empathetic cultures to drive better performance over time.

Rob's business is empathy but it can be hard to create offerings around soft skills.  If you have big ideas around EQ but are struggling to bring that content to your audience in a meaningful way, Peter Winick and the Thought Leadership Leverage team can help you!