I love to walk. When the weather is nice, I walk for miles around my neighborhood. When the weather is not so nice, I do the same inside my gym. Whether I’m listening to a podcast, dictating an article, or having a phone meeting, my brain is always engaged and the wheels are turning with every step. I enjoy the exercise—physically and mentally—and also enjoy seeing and greeting my neighbors and gym buddies.
Without a doubt, I love to walk. And when I walk, I walk in my favorite shoes, because they’re comfortable. They’re clean yet broken in; they fit well, and they don’t rub my feet in weird places.
But sometimes I have to wear someone else’s shoes.
I am, of course, referring to the old adage about walking a mile in someone else’s shoes. So I don’t literally shove my feet into an ill-fitting pair of sneakers that belong to someone else. But sometimes, figuratively, I purposefully choose to experience the fit and feel of walking in another person’s shoes.
Empathy is one of the most powerful tools for building and nurturing a relationship. Years ago, Bruce Kasanoff wrote a great article published on LinkedIn about empathy. In it he said:
“The greater your ability to understand what another person’s experience is, the more successful you will be. Empathy makes you a better friend, leader, partner, and colleague.”
I agree one hundred percent. Empathy is not something that always comes easily or naturally for me, and it might not for you either, but it is an absolutely essential part of every relationship—whether with a friend, a family member, a coworker, a boss, a customer, a student, or an employee.
This is a reminder to me as much as it is to you. Next time you’re feeling annoyed, frustrated, or critical toward a fellow human being, stop for a minute and strap on their shoes. Try to see things from their perspective. Think through the variables that you know about their life and the possible factors that might be influencing their behavior.
With empathy, you will better understand the challenges other people are facing, and thus be better informed, equipped, and prepared for your interactions with them. That’s a win-win scenario! So go put on some walking shoes.
