The social nature of the human species is so productive and beneficial to our survival.  We get things done with and through a community of people and even our evolution relies upon them.   As you read and watch reports about the rising infection of covid-19, you will reflect that the cooperative nature of human beings is evident as public health officials need to trace a community of people by whom the infected person's interacted with for the last 14 days or so and how long and intimate such interaction is. Our community is now sharing risks and trusts as we face covid-19 together.

Based on studies, two things showed that human beings are more cooperative in difficult situations but such cooperation and coordination among adults can fail because of the lack of understanding of perspective.  

According to British psychologist, Simon Baren Cohen, 

“empathy is like a universal solvent. Any problem immersed in empathy becomes soluble.”

How can you put empathy in your communication and make an emotional connection? Psychologists suggest these three things:

1) Listen actively not just with your ears but with your all your senses and gut.

2) Suspend your judgement, opinion, assumption and viewpoint.  People react based on their experiences, knowledge and information.

3) Respond in a way that is beneficial to them.

These three strategies are crucial particularly during this difficult time not just for a leader of an organisation or a parent but to anyone who would like to become effective in their work and would like to contribute to making this world kinder in the midst of the pandemic.