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Animal Empathy: What Horses, Crows, and Dogs Teach Us | My Gratitude Project Day 25

November 25, 2025
Gratitude Project

Animal empathy? Research suggests that many animals empathize just like we do—or at least sort of like we do. The basis for animal empathy is mirror neurons, which were actually first detected in monkeys rather than humans. Researchers observed that the monkeys’ brains were activated in the same way whether they were grasping an object or watching another monkey grasp an object. That is the magic of mirror neurons and empathy: whether we do it or see it, our brain…

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Why Some People Struggle with Empathy | My Gratitude Project Day 24

November 24, 2025
Gratitude Project

When an office has a difficult employee, leaders come to me asking why some people lack empathy. It is common to believe that some people simply lack empathy. I understand why some people believe this, even though every human brain (and many animal brains) have mirror neurons in our brains that hardwire us for empathy. So, why do some people seem incapable of understanding others? I’m not qualified to discuss the effects on empathy of neurodiversity conditions like autism, narcissism…

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Empathy and Love: Seeing Through the Glass Clearly | My Gratitude Project Day 23

November 24, 2025
Gratitude Project

Empathy and love are inseparable. Both lead to healing and clarity. We all know the sound of empathy and love. Like love, empathy speaks in low tones, like a late-night DJ on a jazz station. Empathy. Is. Slow. It doesn’t rush. It allows people to take back their words and say it again better. There is space for reflection between words and ideas. In Corinthians 13, the Bible describes love (sometimes translated as charity), but it may as well be…

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Healing with Empathy: When Listening Opens the Door | My Gratitude Project Day 22

November 22, 2025
Gratitude Project

Even in the toughest moments, healing with empathy can open a door. Recently, I counseled a client to try healing with empathy. For confidentiality, I won’t go into details, only to say that she wanted to repair a badly broken relationship. It wasn’t her fault. The whole situation was difficult and messy, involving trauma, addiction, blaming, half-truths, and bald-faced lies. It was not going to be easy, and she understood that, but it was her best shot if there was…

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Do a favor, give a gift, empathize, be grateful for My Gratitude Project

Empathy and Leadership: What Gen Z Gets Right | My Gratitude Project Day 21

November 21, 2025
Gratitude Project

A new poll reveals how empathy and leadership work together. Ask your grandfather about empathy and leadership, and he might draw a blank. His attitude about empathy and yours probably differ significantly. These generational expectations are showing up in the workplace and in polls that help us understand important trends. In a recent poll, Deloitte Digital asked Gen Z what they wanted most in their boss. Empathy ranked second for Gen Z, and fifth for their bosses. What is happening…

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Empathy in Coaching: A Story of Healing and Growth | My Gratitude Project Day 20

November 20, 2025
Gratitude Project

Personally, I use empathy in coaching daily. I’ve found empathy in coaching helps the little problems and the little ones. I had a client not too long ago who needed a lot of empathy. When our first session opened, she was in tears. She was managing a complex project with many delays and difficulties, and the process had turned toxic. Professional norms had broken down, and it had become normal to yell and scream and blame throughout meetings. I thought…

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Lisa D. Foster, Ph.D. ACC  is an independent coach. As an Associate Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation, Lisa honors and abides by the ICF Code of Ethics.  All coaching sessions and consultations are confidential.

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