Ever wondered why some leaders effortlessly navigate global challenges while others struggle with cultural misunderstandings? Welcome to Upward Spiral, the podcast that believes intentional decisions are the engine for transformative personal growth. In this powerful episode, "Empathy: The HARD Skill You NEED to Master," we challenge the notion that empathy is merely a "soft skill" and reveal its true power as a hard, functional skill essential for global leadership, sales, and personal connection.Join host Michelle O'Brien as she sits down with the incredible Mimi Nicklin, a globally recognized empathy advocate, bestselling author, and Chief Empathy Officer. Mimi, with her vast experience living and working across continents, shares profound insights into cultivating cross-cultural empathy. Discover why active listening is our greatest superpower and how acknowledging the realities of high stress and low time are crucial for practicing empathy in today's demanding world. We delve into the critical cultural nuances that shape how empathy is expressed and received, offering actionable strategies to avoid misinterpretations in global communications.Learn how simple, intentional acts – like maintaining eye contact and using names – can dramatically build trust and human connection in any setting. This conversation is packed with practical takeaways on how empathy isn't just about feeling; it's about making better business decisions, driving productivity in startups, and transforming your approach to leadership and sales.Michelle also shares her personal journey of adapting to new cultures and how empathy is now paramount in her new global role and upcoming US product launch.Chapters00:00 Introduction05:00 Understanding Cultural Nuances in Empathy10:01 The Challenges of Practicing Empathy15:04 Building Empathy Through Observation and Connection19:55 Practical Tips for Enhancing Empathy26:36 The Power of Questions in Empathy30:02 Cultural Differences in Communication32:47 Breaking the Silence: The Importance of Connection36:09 Cross-Cultural Empathy in Leadership39:59 Empathy in Decision Making46:10 Empathy as a Sales Tool48:53 Empathy and Productivity in StartupsIf you're ready to master this essential hard skill and become a more effective global leader and decision-maker, like, share, and subscribe to Upward Spiral! Let us know in the comments: How has cross-cultural empathy impacted your career or personal life?Connect with me: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UpwardSpiralPodcastSpotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theupwardspiral Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-upward-spiral-with-michelle-obrien/id1746250079  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/upwardspiral.podcast/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@upwardspiral.podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/upwardspiralpodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michellemakesdecisions LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellelauraobrien/ Connect with Mimi Nicklin:Website: https://www.empathyeverywhere.co/ The MiMi YouYou Show - Creating Empathy: https://open.spotify.com/show/5QrhCVxoyKxLhXiIeLpEt3LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miminicklin/ Books: 'Softening The Edge' & 'Empathy At Work' https://www.amazon.sg/Softening-Edge-humanitys-leadership-changing/dp/9948340094 #empathy #leadership #crossculturalcommunication #globalsales #decisionmaking #personalgrowth #productivity #workplacewellbeing #humanconnection #softskills #hardskills #upwardspiral #podcast #michelleobrien #miminicklin #culturalunderstanding #listeningskills #professionaldevelopment #psychologicalsafety

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