The Empathy Imperative: Rethinking Leadership and Power

What happens to empathy when people gain power? It’s a question few business leaders ask—but maybe they should.

In this conversation on The Bliss Business Podcast, we were joined by Chris Jarvis, co-founder of Realized Worth, to unpack the surprising neuroscience behind empathy, the risks of power, and how immersive experiences—not theories—help leaders reconnect with their humanity.

Chris isn’t your typical business strategist. His work centers around turning corporate volunteering and CSR efforts into meaningful, transformative programs that shift mindsets, not just metrics. And in this episode, he brought his signature depth, honesty, and clarity to the topic of leadership in today’s disconnected world.

The Power Paradox and the Loss of Empathy

Chris opened with a striking insight: power often erodes the very qualities that help people become leaders in the first place. Drawing from studies by Dacher Keltner and others, he explained that as people gain influence, their ability to empathize often diminishes.

This isn’t simply behavioral—it’s neurological. Research shows that increased power reduces mirroring activity in the brain, making it harder for leaders to read emotions, take on perspectives, or stay tuned into the people around them.

In practical terms, this means organizations may unintentionally promote people into roles where their empathy atrophies—and the people around them feel it.

You Can’t Think your Way Into Empathy

Chris reminded us that empathy isn’t something you learn by reading about it. It has to be experienced. He describes empathy like a muscle that needs regular stretching—through immersion in unfamiliar contexts, direct human connection, and meaningful storytelling.

One of the most powerful pathways? Volunteering.

In his work with Realized Worth, Chris helps organizations design employee volunteering experiences that do more than serve a cause—they create space for reflection, humility, and cognitive dissonance. It’s in those moments of discomfort that real transformation begins.

Why Measurement Alone Misses the Mark

When asked how companies can track success in these programs, Chris had a clear stance: start with meaning, not metrics. Too often, companies focus on outputs—hours volunteered, dollars raised—without asking whether anything actually changed.

He offered a powerful reframe: instead of measuring how many backpacks were packed, ask what changed in the people doing the packing.

These qualitative shifts—greater awareness, new perspectives, renewed commitment—are where culture begins to evolve.

Business Systems Can’t Love, but People Can

Every guest on the podcast is asked the same question: does love belong in business?

Chris's answer was grounded and thought-provoking. He explained that love, as a deeply human experience, doesn’t live in systems. It lives in people. Business frameworks aren’t designed to feel. But the individuals within them can lead with love, embody compassion, and design with empathy.

It’s not about institutionalizing love—it’s about empowering the people inside systems to be human first.

Final Reflections

This conversation was a timely reminder that business success and human connection aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, they’re deeply intertwined.

Empathy isn’t a soft skill or a nice-to-have. It’s a cultural differentiator, a leadership advantage, and a guiding force that allows organizations to build trust—both inside and out.

Chris Jarvis reminds us that the most effective leaders aren’t those who climb the fastest, but those who pause, look around, and ask: who am I bringing with me? What am I learning? And what kind of world am I helping to create?

Have you ever experienced a shift in empathy through volunteering or service? Share your story with us.

Check out our full conversation with Chris Jarvis on The Bliss Business Podcast.