Perspective vs Empathy

I wrote this a while ago and posted it on Facebook.  Today, it spoke to me again. 

I was looking out the window a couple days ago as I was getting ready for work.  Thought it looked pretty nice and I looked at the weather forecast.  “Mostly Cloudy” is what was forecast and I thought to myself, “This looks pretty good for mostly cloudy.”  As I drove to work, I looked to the east from a new perspective and it looked a little more cloudy.  Perspective.  But I still thought it looked pretty nice considering. Then I looked a little more closely at one area way east.  A lot of clouds and maybe even some rain.  For those people, it is 100% cloudy...not even mostly.  Perspective.  

I try to keep an open mind, listening to the perspective of others, looking from a different view.  I think it makes me a better leader.  But, even when you look at an issue from someone else’s perspective, you truly aren’t in their spot.  Empathy.  Empathy - noun; “the psychological identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts or attitudes of another.”  I feel like I am pretty good at empathy but we can always improve.  Put yourself in their shoes, not just looking from their perspective, but also how it FEELS from their perspective.  

Back to the clouds.  Perspective.  Mine-looks pretty good; theirs-100% cloudy.  Empathy-Their hair is wet from the rain, I need to share my umbrella.