1. Create Value for Customers

Danny Wong, the cofounder of Blank Label, a luxury menswear company, taught me the importance of using empathy towards clients. Wong said: Wong is also lead marketer at Receiptful, a platform to supercharge all customer interactions for eCommerce stores, and Tenfold, a click-to-dial solution for advanced sales teams.

2. Communicate as You Would with a Friend

Hampus Jakobsson, CEO of Brisk, showed me how communication style is key for business relationships. According to Jakobsson: Hampus shared with me a recent experience where he used empathy in business. Hampus is a serial entrepreneur; in 2002, he cofounded the pioneering mobile UI firm called The Astonishing Tribe, which was acquired by Blackberry in 2010 for $150 million. Jakobsson is also an angel investor in over 40 startups.

3. Human Needs Drive Business

Thai Nguyen, a worldly writer and researcher, explained the connection between human needs and business.

4. Manage Empathically

Tim Askew is the CEO of Corporate Rain. Tim illustrated the importance of empathy in business management. Tim also has several advanced degrees, and has been a tennis pro, actor, opera singer, and Broadway producer.

5. Be an Empathic Team Member

Justin Bariso, Founder and Principle at Insight, showed me the importance of empathy as a member of a team.