Why Perspective Beats Empathy to Change Minds | Heather Hansen | TEDxGainesville

In this intriguing talk, Hansen makes the case for choosing perspective over empathy. She offers that they're very different things, and the ability to see the world from others' perspectives is the key to making a real impact at work and at home. Heather Hansen helps clients advocate for their ideas, their teams, their businesses and themselves with the tools of a trial attorney. As a result, they turn the people around them into their advocates. Heather’s twenty years as a trial attorney gave her the tools to persuade diverse groups of people to see different perspectives and give her wins.
She has shared these tools with teams at Google, Sav A Tree, Bimbo Bakeries, LinkedIn, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services and LVMH. She’s presented at Harvard Business School, Stanford Law School, and to audiences in Kuwait, Ireland, Mexico and across the United States.
Heather is the author of The Elegant Warrior-How to Win Life’s Trials Without Losing Yourself and Advocate to Win: 10 Tools to Ask for What You Want and Get It. She has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, NBC, CBS News, Fox News Channel and Fox Business. Heather believes that facts tell, stories sell, and advocates win. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@PattiMelchionno]

Great lessons. The second time I watched! Did you win the case of the female doctor who was being sued and in jeopardy of losing her position at the facility she moved her entire family to get?

[@fit2order409]

What an incredible talk @Heather! Definitely an idea worth spreading...we could all use a little more perspective from someone else's view.

[@Beliefbuildersacademy]

Thank you so much! It does change things for the better!

[@annelester1358]

Wow - I really needed to hear that! I am dealing with an eldercare issue and was just able to step into how the person I am trying to help must be feeling, which brought home to me that I am going about this all wrong. So helpful! Thank you!!!

[@Beliefbuildersacademy]

I'm so glad it was helpful Anne thanks for your comment!

[@lindaugelow]

Such a great shift in how we look at what's important in our ability to advocate for ourselves and others as well as make an impact. Great talk and a wonderful speaker.

[@LisaCooper-cm2bd]

Thank you for explaining how perspective is so important when we are empathising with someone. When we ask questions and listen to their perspective we can truly help them. Heather, thanks for helping us better advocate for people with your guidance and wisdom.

[@genacox]

This is wonderful, Heather Hansen. I love the message your delivery is impeccable.

[@heatherhansenatw]

Thank you so much Gena!

[@leannburch3551]

I love this idea! I love how to truly help people we need to see things from their perspective. I can see now that empathy isn’t the only way, or the best way, to help someone. Understanding their perspective is an absolute requirement if we are to be a good advocate! Thank you- loved your talk!

[@Beliefbuildersacademy]

Thank you so much. I'm delighted that you got exactly what I'd hoped from it. Thank you!

[@manuellamoreirainteriors]

This is amazing, Heather! Thanks for sharing your brilliance!

[@heatherhansenatw]

Thank you so much for watching! So glad you enjoyed it

[@tatianatsoir]

Love it Love it Heather!!! Your passion shines through!!!

[@heatherhansenatw]

Thank you Tatiana! Can’t wait to see yours.

[@Mikegoldmancoach]

Wow, amazing talk Heather!!

[@heatherhansenatw]

Thank you Mike!