09/25/2025

Despite Vocal Criticism, Empathy Remains a Potent Leadership Tool

In today's "anger first" world, empathy is under attack and shouldn't be

Once considered a universal good, empathy now divides as much as it unites. Empathy has long been viewed as a straightforward strength in leadership, but it has recently become a political flashpoint.

Some conservative voices, including billionaire Elon Musk, have criticized empathy, with Musk calling it a "fundamental weakness of western civilization."

Joe Rigney, a theology fellow at New Saint Andrew’s College in Idaho, has gone further, calling it a “sin”. He argues “untethered empathy” can distort moral judgment because it may lead to people excusing harmful behavior simply because they sympathize with the person experiencing it.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Conversation.