Life Happens

This blog was originally posted on www.GOiBELIEVE.com/blog

I’ve been watching various segments of the new Discovery Channel program, Life. Two nights ago, I viewed the ‘Making of Life’, which showed the artistry, patience, and innovation necessary to film some of the most amazing wildlife footage. While watching, I found myself very compelled to listen to two different crews talk about their experience in the wild. 

One crew was stationed in a remote tropical island to film komodo dragons’ eating habits while the other was stationed on an arctic island to video killer whales. In both situations, they set up shop and waited to see what happened. On the tropical island, the crew went to the sole watering hole on the island and watched a water buffalo become a meal for six komodo dragons. While on the Arctic Island, the crew captured killer whales feed on baby pup seals. On both islands, the film crew made connections and learned the personalities of the prey. In short, both of them described how it was very difficult to be on assignment and simply film life happening, without the ability to intervene and come to the rescue.

As empathic leaders, we can use our skills as nurturers to assist those who are in the midst of tough situations. Often, leaders will witness others in pain or debating difficult decisions. Leaders also serve as the go-to person when something frustrating happens to another. When these things happen, the leader’s best tool is his/her ability to listen. As leaders, we can provide open ears to truly hear what the others are saying to allow them to wrestle and come to grips with what is going on for them. Leaders can be of significant service when they utilize empathic listening to understand the other. By authentically listening to the stories and situations of others, we can help them unravel their feelings and come to understand the complexities of the circumstance. By doing so, we help them engage in the ever-necessary reflection that will help them get to a better place. With empathy, we can enable life to happen and watch others come alive by their own means.