Comments on: The Shifting Psychology of Sustainability

By: “Sustainability”: Conservative or Liberal? « Sustainability History Project

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 05:34:43 +0000

[...] Another perspective comes from people who internalize Brundtlandian sustainability to one degree or another and strive to find ways to achieve this goals. For example, discussing a July 2010 conference of sustainable business leaders in Monterery, Calif., J. Marshall Roberts writes that participants were mindful about the need to avoid portraying intolerance when they discuss sustainability issues outside of their community of the “converted.” Roberts’ frames his discussion in terms of our current political climate and dominant opinion makers: participants showed a general distaste for ‘all or nothing’ absolutistic leadership and communication styles—such as those often adopted by FOX News anchor Glenn Beck, former president George W. Bush, and former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. To the systemic worldview of today’s sustainable business leaders, such absolutistic communication styles are often seen viewed as shortsighted and counterproductive, at best. Unfortunately, if they aren’t careful, sustainability leaders run the risk of becoming absolutistic themselves—further alienating mainstream audiences from their vision. Either way, if present trends continue, expect further ideological polarity between mainstream ‘red’ state consumers and sustainable brand innovators in the coming months (source). [...]

By: jmarshallroberts

jmarshallroberts — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:25:33 +0000

Hi Varun. Good question, with a potentially complicated answer, because the simple fact is that every situation is unique. I would want to know a little bit more about these 2 managers. In particular, I’d want to know WHY (at a deep psychological level) manager #2 is so resistant? From their own point of view, what is it that causes them to be so stubborn and pigheaded?

Based upon that deep empathetic understanding I would craft a communication strategy that unravels resistance and inspires change. But without that deep understanding, crafting such a strategy would be next to impossible.

At the end of the day, I see empathy less as a tool for changing people — and more as a tool for gathering important insights about the people we hope to better communicate with.

Step #1 is always developing a deep empathic understanding of WHY the other person thinks, feels and behaves the way they do.
Step #2 is then to use that information productively.

Does this make sense?

By: Varun

Varun — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:29:31 +0000

John: Wonderful to hear! Thank you very much for your prompt response. I want to give you my background a bit – I graduated with a Master’s in Information Science and my thesis was on a specific application of Transactive memory which was rooted in Daniel Wegner’s observations of long relationships in couples.

I like the demonstrating empathy bit but its the time factor that gets me. Lets take a regular argument between 2 managers to get something done. Lets assume 1 manager is aware of empathy and actively uses it in his/her work practices. The other doesnt or atleast isnt aware of its benefits. Now if the non-empathetic manager starts aggressively pushing ideas – how does the empathetic manager effectively succeed in their argument ? and what kind of tactics can be employed “over time” to effectively make the unempathetic manager “get it”.

Apologies for the long winded question – I will definitely check out your course! This definitely ‘ignites’ things on my end of the table

Thanks,

/\ \/

By: jmarshallroberts

jmarshallroberts — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:12:36 +0000

Good points Varun.
Of course empathy cannot be mandated — that would be very, well, unempathetic.
I believe there are 2 keys to making empathy practical

1. Demonstrate/ Model it — instead of trying to fix other people or make them more empathetic, seek to understand why they think and feel the way they do. Demonstrate empathy and this will quite often, over time, inspire others to do the same. Empathic thinking is contagious and transforms cultures. But, in all fairness, this sort of empathic skill and consistency is challenging — it requires a high degree of humility to maintain, so we should all be prepared to screw up (and forgive ourselves) often.

2. Understand the science behind empathy — and use it. We define empathy as the ability to see, feel, and understand the world from the perspective of others. Each of these words implies a specific set of cognitive skills that can be taught and practiced. And the science behind these skills runs deep — drawing from more than 40 years of developmental pscyhology research. To make the process easier, I’ve put together an animated interactive elearning course that trains these skills. It’s a fun way to get good at empathy! Check out this link to sample a free intro course which might answer your questions a little more thoroughly than I was able to do here: http://www.ignitinginspiration.com

Thanks and let me know what you think!

Best,
j

By: Varun

Varun — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:18:19 +0000

Hi ! Loved your talk @TEDx – I caught myself going “yes, yes – youre right!” unconsciously almost like a sermon But I have some serious questions because I am a believer of empathy as well and I strive towards sustainable “everything” in my daily lifestyle. However 2 concepts, the proselytization of empathy and the expectation of empathy especially in cross-cultural workplaces is something I would like to hear your thoughts on. I work in a pretty diverse environment with people’s opinions on everything from Yoga to Yugoslavia enter work-related conversations on a daily basis. However in an empathetic world – how do you expect empathy? I find that people’s expectation of Empathy in another person and unfulfilment of it lead to a different kind of frustration and unproductivity – would you agree ?
How would one operationalize empathy then? What are the indicators of empathy? An American’s view of Empathy is very different from an Indian’s view and these conflicting definitions eventually negate (in my opinion) the overall effect of empathy. BTW – if you haven’t already: http://www.ted.com/talks/devdutt_pattanaik.html.
I would greatly appreciate a response!

/\ \/

By: jmarshallroberts

jmarshallroberts — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:59:34 +0000

Hi Linda.
The short answer — yes. But, of course, we’d really need to sit down and think about who the target audiences are, what the main barriers would be to them getting your vision, and how best to target them.
In other words, this information works — but it can take work also.
Did you see this yet: http://www.ignitinginspiration.com ?
Doing what I can to make transfering this level of insight as easy as possible for people such as yourself…people who deeply care.
Feel free to contact me directly if you have any further questions.
Best,
John

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:12:52 +0000

Your TEDx and YouTube material reached me about the same time as info about SB.510 passing the Senate…
I went from elation to deep fear.
Can you apply this same effort to helping save organic food and farms? Soon?
Who can reach enough people, soon enough, effectively enough?
Can you help?
Thank you.

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:11:59 +0000

Your TEDx and YouTube material reached for me about the same time as info about SB.510 passing the Senate…
I went from elation to deep fear.
Can you apply this same effort to helping save organic food? Soon?
Who can reach enough people, soon enough, effectively enough?
Can you help?
Thank you.