What does empathy look like? When someone takes the time to appreciate and respond to the experiences of others, that is empathy. It seems like a small gesture but has immense impact.

In this episode of the Carefulist podcast, I had the opportunity to sit down with Katie Kristoffic and talk through a part of my life that is both tender and deeply meaningful — my caregiving journey.

There’s something timeless about stepping onto a baseball field. The rhythm of the game, the focus of each player, the unspoken coordination between teammates—it’s more than just a sport. It’s a living metaphor for leadership.

At a recent leadership workshop, I found myself standing in front of a pottery wheel—reluctantly. I hadn’t signed up expecting to create a beautiful piece of art from clay, but what unfolded during those two days surprised me in the best way. The experience wasn’t just about shaping bowls—it reshaped how I think about learning, feedback, and leadership.

As we enter the new year, it’s the perfect time to use proven strategies to improve team dynamics and help your team thrive. A strong start can set the tone for improved collaboration, productivity, and ultimately an improved team throughout the year. 

Mistakes at work can be a sensitive subject. Do you admit to them, or brush them under the rug and hope no one notices?

Becoming the type of person everyone wants to work with is something to think about. Whether you’re a business owner, leader, part of a sales team or working behind the scenes, your ability to work well with others is invaluable.

If you are looking for ways to show gratitude to your customers, clients, employees, or loved ones, unexpected acts of kindness can say a lot. They also leave a lasting impression.

The holidays can be stressful as we add extra events to our calendar. Adding to the stress are increased expectations that are not always explicitly communicated. Holiday stressors may cause us to revert to different communication patterns that are anything but festive. The following survival tips can help you sound more like grateful Tiny Tim and less like miserly Ebenezer Scrooge.

Do you get worked up over big presentations? Do you spend hours trying to create the perfect content and more hours practicing your delivery? Practice and planning will help you feel more confident in that one situation.

If you are looking for ways to increase your influence, you might be surprised to learn that people in your community can help you expand it.

Have you been overlooked for a promotion or special project at work? It might be that people do not know about your expertise because you have failed to share about what you do.

Your communication is not just what you say, but includes your actions, reactions, and more. The communication styles referenced in Part 1 of this series, “What I learned about communication from a Zubma class”, highlighted behaviors that influence communication. 

People with high levels of emotional intelligence in the area of empathy continue to learn things about individuals with whom they interact and build positive relationships.

Weak language will cause people to dismiss what you say. You may be prefacing your idea with a disclaimer such as, “I’m not sure whether this is a good idea, but…”  Or, you may have been vague about what you want. For example, “I hope you will attend the meeting.”

You have most likely heard of, and even practiced the elevator pitch, named for the amount of time it takes to complete a ride while you introduce yourself and highlight your accomplishments.

How do you respond when someone you barely know uses your name? Perhaps your head raises a few inches or your eyes lock with theirs. Do they have your full attention?

I recently experienced a way to combat feeling powerless by speaking up for someone else. Separated by a few states and isolated due to the pandemic, I relied on phone call check-ins with my 80+ year-old mother and father who still reside in their own home.

As we approach Valentines Day and consider ways to express our endearment for others, don’t underestimate simple acts of kindness such as listening.