Reviews from students who have done "The Story of Me, Us, and Now" as part of a class:

When we did the ‘opposites’ exercise, we found countless categories to define ourselves and our culture. Now I understand how dynamic and important culture is to forming one’s values and interacting with others.

When the class was told to pair up with their opposite, I was apprehensive and slightly uncomfortable… I was just going through the motions like everyone else in… While I listened, I felt connected to what he was saying and had a much deeper understanding of who he really is. I listened and realized that his story was actually very similar to mine in some ways, so we were really able to connect with each other. He listened to me very well and I was shocked about how easy it was to talk to him about more serious, less superficial topics. This was the moment that the feelings of empathy truly hit me.

I learned a few valuable lessons from that short exercise that will stick with me because of how shockingly well it worked to open, not only my eyes, but almost everybody else’s in the room. I came to the comprehension that empathy is a much more complex sensation than sympathy because it involves connection, understanding, and curiosity. Having this experience has also made me think twice about first impressions and their validity. What I had first thought about my partner turned out to be significantly different when I learned more about him. Understanding that judging a person without sincerely knowing who they are, as well as their background, helps immensely when communicating or effectively leading a group. It is all a matter of effort, curiosity, and an open mind.

In order to truly empathize and connect with a person, rather than just sympathize (pity), one must take the time, as well as have the interest, to learn more about them and their story

I observed that after that exercise, that was when most of the social groups that had formed began to shift. Some had become more approachable and everyone seemed kinder. Each one of us had only spoken to one other person, but it was interesting to see how the empathy we felt for our opposites, I also felt for most of the group. I don't think it matters really how similar or different we all are from each other, it's the basic human connection: being willing to share, and more importantly listen.

The most important thing that I have taken away from this program is empathy.  My enlightenment about this concept happened during the opposite partner activity.  I realized that I have always been pretty judgmental.  I have been raised to “call a spade a spade” and to view things as they are.  I had just not really internalized the concept before he shared his story.  Prior to this moment, I didn’t understand that both qualities, empathy and being realistic, could co-exist.  Listening, really listening, to his story opened my eyes to the negative effects of my actions.

Feedback from 2015 Global Leadership students who conducted this exercise:

When we did the ‘opposites’ exercise, we found countless categories to define ourselves and our culture. Now I understand how dynamic and important culture is to forming one’s values and interacting with others.

When the class was told to pair up with their opposite, I was apprehensive and slightly uncomfortable… I was just going through the motions like everyone else in… While I listened, I felt connected to what he was saying and had a much deeper understanding of who he really is. I listened and realized that his story was actually very similar to mine in some ways, so we were really able to connect with each other. He listened to me very well and I was shocked about how easy it was to talk to him about more serious, less superficial topics. This was the moment that the feelings of empathy truly hit me.

I learned a few valuable lessons from that short exercise that will stick with me because of how shockingly well it worked to open, not only my eyes, but almost everybody else’s in the room. I came to the comprehension that empathy is a much more complex sensation than sympathy because it involves connection, understanding, and curiosity. Having this experience has also made me think twice about first impressions and their validity. What I had first thought about my partner turned out to be significantly different when I learned more about him. Understanding that judging a person without sincerely knowing who they are, as well as their background, helps immensely when communicating or effectively leading a group. It is all a matter of effort, curiosity, and an open mind.

 In order to truly empathize and connect with a person, rather than just sympathize (pity), one must take the time, as well as have the interest, to learn more about them and their story

I observed that after that exercise, that was when most of the social groups that had formed began to shift. Some had become more approachable and everyone seemed kinder. Each one of us had only spoken to one other person, but it was interesting to see how the empathy we felt for or opposites, I also felt for most of the group. I don't think it matters really how similar or different we all are from each other, it's the basic human connection: being willing to share, and more importantly listen.

The most important thing that I have taken away from this program is empathy.  My enlightenment about this concept happened during the opposite partner activity.  I realized that I have always been pretty judgmental.  I have been raised to “call a spade a spade” and to view things as they are.  I had just not really internalized the concept before he shared his story.  Prior to this moment, I didn’t understand that both qualities, empathy and being realistic, could co-exist.  Listening, really listening, to his story opened my eyes to the negative effects of my actions.