Corporate Partner Speaker Series: Empathy: Not Just Nice but Necessary

We hear “empathy” invoked as the missing ingredient in public and organizational policy and in resolving conflict among stakeholders in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.  Frequently, those who cry for empathy don’t understand how to help cultivate and deploy it. Many people think of empathy as being nice and thoughtful in our relationships. This presentation will explore the nature of empathy and how it is revealed in personal, public, and organizational life. Participants will leave with a richer understanding of empathy, ways of assessing their own capacity and practice of it, and avenues for growth in this critical area.

We will consider:

·       How we are wired for empathy

·       Reasons we block our practice of empathy

·       How empathy is becoming the focus of global education and development efforts

·       How to advance the understanding and practice of empathy as individuals

Donna Younger, EdD, has been teaching working adult students through DePaul’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies for more than 14 years.  Her research interests are emotional and social competence and organizational development. Younger also serves as a consultant working with academic institutions across sectors as well as with business and not-for-profit organizations.

This event is brought to you by the corporate and employer outreach team at DePaul University. Before the webinar, DePaul will make a brief presentation about degree opportunities available to employees of its corporate education partners.