Validation - Lisa D. Foster, Leadership Coaching & Training

when in doubt try empathy for My Gratitude Project

Eight Practices of Empathy That Strengthen Connection | My Gratitude Project Day 9

November 9, 2025

When we break it down, empathy becomes a number of small acts and practices of empathy. Here are a few practical and tactical practices of empathy, with special thanks to Caroline Fleck and her excellent book on Validation: Whatever you call it and whatever you do, use these empathy skills to keep your mind on their experience and help you understand them. Try various ways to show you get them and see what works best for you. This post is…

Be yourself everyone else is taken for My Gratitude Project

Naming Feelings: The Next Step in Empathy | My Gratitude Project Day 8

November 8, 2025

Gratitude Project

When empathizing, there is another step beyond mirroring: naming feelings. If you want someone to know that you empathize with them, try naming their feelings. Naming feelings can be a little tricky because you can’t ever 100% know what someone else is feeling. The key is to listen closely enough that you can imagine what you would feel in that situation. If you have listened enough to understand their circumstances, it’s just a small leap to name how you would…

Mirror Neurons and Empathy: We’re Wired to Connect | My Gratitude Project Day 6

November 6, 2025

Gratitude Project

Innate mirror neurons hardwire us for empathy. We are born with mirror neurons and empathy, which promote the emotional connection we need to thrive. How we use empathy in daily life determines how well we create the bonds that satisfy our human needs. Yesterday, I wrote about copying someone’s words as a way of signaling that you hear them and at least, that you are interested in hearing more from them. But actually, mirroring or copying doesn’t require words at…

My Gratitude Project 2025: Grateful for the Magic of Empathy

November 1, 2025

Gratitude Project

Every year in November, I dedicate myself to thirty days of gratitude, this year, with a focus on empathy. My gratitude project has become an anchor and compass in my life. This year, my focus is on the quiet power of empathy: the ability to truly see and understand another person. Empathy turns gratitude outward—it transforms appreciation for what we have into appreciation for who others are. Each day this month, I’ll share a reflection on what empathy looks and…

Unlock Better Performance with 5 Practical and Tactical Empathy Skills

October 6, 2025

Empathy and Managing Others

Leaders who use practical, tactical empathy skills know that it unlocks people’s inner drive to succeed. Key Takeaways: Empathy Skills That Boost Performance Most leaders know empathy matters, but few connect empathy skills directly to performance. The truth is, when people feel respected, valued, and supported, they work harder and smarter. Empathy isn’t some soft skill or nice to have—it’s an essential performance driver. These five practical and tactical empathy skills help build trust, create psychological safety, and unlock better…

How to Build Trust at Work: Five Everyday Actions

September 22, 2025

Trust and Building Teams

Trust or mistrust is a choice that every leader has to make: build trust at work to unlock performance or sow distrust and shut it down. Key Takeaways Most organizations fall in the middle between high trust and low trust cultures. In these organizations, managers can vary widely in how much they trust others. Employees are sensitive to even the smallest hints of mistrust. To build trust at work, trust must be a consistent and fundamental part of your leadership…