Researchers at the University of Michigan recently released the findings of a 20-year study into empathy. It seems that empathy is in sharp decline. Ninety-seven per cent of children will experience some level of cyber-bullying, and bullying at work is commonplace.
The research estimates that 1 million workers in the US are absent daily due to workplace abuse, and that US$300 billion gets wasted in lost productivity, employee churn and insurance claims.
Barrack Obama has labelled the issue ‘the empathy deficit’, and the consequences permeate the way we live, work and communicate. There has been an explosion of nasty, malevolent commentary on light touch social platforms. Olympians get trashed and artists abused by cowards hiding behind handles or anonymity.
These are big issues for industries like ours. Creativity requires risk taking, respect and collaboration, none of which happen in a climate of fear. It takes courage for people to be creative and talent needs moral support.
Clearly, Kurt Vonnegut got it in A Man Without a Country: ‘The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practising an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.’
Empathy is bedrock for creative people and vital for creative industries to cultivate. If you work in advertising, media or marketing and you want to make a difference, you can start by being nicer.
Craig Davis is co-chairman and chief creative officer of Publicis Mojo Australia and New Zealand, and founder of Brandkarma.com. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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