500 Days to Go

500 days.

 

That’s how long until the first match of the world’s most popular event takes place in North America.

 

If that descriptor sounds grandiose and melodramatic, let’s look at the facts. While some may exaggerate the significance of the World Cup, the numbers tell an impressive and compelling story.

 

Overview

• Over 200 countries vie for 48 spots in the World Cup--more countries than participated in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
• 16 host cities in North America will host the tournament in 2026; 11 are in the United States. My home base of Kansas City is included in that group of host cities that will host a total of 78 matches.
• The World Cup was last held in the U.S. in 1994. Nine host markets were involved; that event is still the most financially successful World Cup ever. The ’94 event holds the all-time attendance record, even though only 24 teams participated in that tournament, which has now doubled in size.
• The tournament will take place June 11-July 19, 2026. The opening match is 500 days from today.
• Kansas City will host six matches at Arrowhead Stadium, including one in the round of 32 and one in the round of 16.
• Our region also has three base camp options for teams who will select their North American team headquarters later this year.
• Projected ticket sales for World Cup 2026 are $2 billion plus. 
• It’s estimated that 650,000 visitors will descend on Kansas City in summer 2026, staying an average of nine days per visitor.

 

To put it into perspective, especially given the upcoming Super Bowl—the United States will essentially host the equivalent of 66 Super Bowls in just over 30 days in 2026! 

 

The media impact is significant. Not only will American journalists (sports, media, business, lifestyle) cover the event, but foreign media as well. In 2022, over 12,000 media accreditations were issued for the Qatar World Cup.

 

Businesses must plan now for this event, given the following marketing considerations:

·      Consumer and employee activation strategies

·      Ticket and hospitality planning for customers, along with associated transportation logistics

·      Potential host city sponsorships and engagement

·      Team and/or athlete partnerships

 

The complexity can be paralyzing, but it’s also an opportunity. Every organization can craft a unique approach tailored to its specific objectives.

 

If you’ve not asked this question within your company, I would encourage you to do so: “Do we have a soccer strategy for 2026?” 

 

Sometimes, the first step is simply to acknowledge the potential…and to follow that step with intentional consideration and planning.

 

If you need help taking that first step and the steps that come after, then let’s talk. 

Be bold, be prepared, and see the World Cup as not just an event but a strategic opportunity.

The Cost of Eggs: A Lesson In Timing and Messaging

  

 

Last week, I spotted a large banner on a regional grocer's store announcing "New Lower Prices." The timing struck me as particularly intriguing, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration and his August 2024 campaign promise to “bring (grocery) prices down, starting on day one.”

 

The banner raised several compelling questions. What prompted these price reductions? Was it a result of supply chain optimization, a strategic business decision to trim margins, or perhaps a cost-cutting measure involving staff reductions? The lack of context was striking.

 

More importantly, the timing seemed tone-deaf. During a week when a new president had referenced affordable groceries, this grocer's announcement could easily be misinterpreted. Were they attempting to capitalize on the national conversation about food prices, or was this a mere coincidence?

 

This scenario underscores a critical marketing principle: brand communication must be more than just a statement. It requires strategic thinking, cultural awareness, and a clear, compelling narrative. Effective messaging isn't just about what you say but when and how you say it.

 

In this instance, the grocer missed an opportunity to connect meaningfully with consumers. A simple addition of context—explaining the "why" behind the price reduction—could have transformed a potentially forgettable announcement into a powerful brand story.

 

The lesson is clear: brands must be more than passive communicators. They need to be active participants in the cultural dialogue, understanding the broader context of their messaging and the potential perceptions it might generate.

 

Interested in talking more about positioning and campaign strategy? Contact me, and let’s have a conversation.

The Fading Curiosity of America: A Nation Losing Its Intellectual Spark?

  

“The golden age of America begins right now.”

 

Such were the words of Donald J. Trump, the victor of the 2024 election and claimer of the resulting bully pulpit—his inauguration address on Monday of this week.

 

If I step back for a moment and try for objectivity, that statement is dramatically at odds with a nation that can be accused of losing its quest for knowledge.

 

In an age of unprecedented access to information, the United States seems to be experiencing a paradoxical decline in intellectual curiosity. Where the American spirit was once characterized by boundless exploration, innovative thinking, and a hunger for knowledge, today we find ourselves increasingly trapped in echo chambers, resistant to new ideas, and seemingly more comfortable with familiar narratives than challenging perspectives.

 

The symptoms of this intellectual malaise are everywhere. Traditional media has fragmented into partisan channels that reinforce existing beliefs rather than challenge them. Social media algorithms create personalized information bubbles that shield users from opposing viewpoints. Educational systems increasingly teach to standardized tests, prioritizing rote memorization over critical thinking and genuine inquiry.

 

Statistics paint a troubling picture. According to recent studies, fewer Americans are reading books, engaging with long-form journalism, or pursuing continuous learning beyond formal education. A 2022 Pew Research Center survey found that nearly a quarter of American adults hadn't read a single book in the past year. This isn't just about reading—it's about a broader disengagement from intellectual exploration.

 

The political landscape further illustrates this trend. Sound bites and tribal allegiances have replaced nuanced discussions. Complex issues are reduced to binary choices, with little patience for the kind of deep, thoughtful analysis that might reveal underlying complexities. People increasingly view changing one's mind not as a sign of intellectual growth, but as a weakness.

 

However, it would be unfair and overly simplistic to suggest this is a universal condition. Pockets of passionate inquiry still exist—in research universities, among passionate educators, in scientific communities, and among individuals committed to lifelong learning. The maker movement, online educational platforms, and grassroots intellectual communities demonstrate that curiosity isn't dead—it's just struggling to find mainstream oxygen.

 

The roots of this incuriosity are multifaceted. Economic pressures that prioritize immediate productivity over reflective thinking play a significant role. The overwhelming information landscape can paradoxically lead to information fatigue, making people less, not more, likely to dig deeper. A culture that increasingly values quick wins and instant gratification works against the slow, patient process of genuine understanding.

 

Yet, I believe hope remains. Curiosity is fundamentally human—it can be rekindled. This requires a collective commitment to valuing learning, creating spaces for genuine dialogue, and developing educational approaches that reward questioning over answering. We need media ecosystems that prioritize depth over sensationalism, and social structures that celebrate intellectual humility.

 

The stakes are high. A nation that loses its curiosity risks losing its innovative edge, its capacity for problem-solving, and ultimately, its capacity for growth. The great American experiment has always been about continuous reinvention, challenging existing assumptions, and pushing boundaries.

 

Reclaiming curiosity isn't just an intellectual exercise—it's a civic imperative. It requires each of us to step outside our comfort zones, to listen more than we speak, to approach different perspectives with genuine openness, and to remember that true learning happens at the edges of our existing knowledge.

 

The choice is ours: Will we be a nation that retreats into comfortable ignorance, or one that continues to ask bold, uncomfortable questions? The future of American innovation, democracy, and cultural vitality depends on our collective answer.

 

If you’d like to talk about this further, let’s chat. I look forward to that conversation!

When your dog is named "Dog"

April 2013. 

 

The name of the new four-team college football postseason tournament was about to be unveiled. 

 

As the project leader and a key team member in the naming and positioning of this new event, it was a sweaty palms moment.

 

The “College Football Playoff.” 

 

The name landed with a dull thud.

 

One national sportswriter said, “Now we know the name of Bill Hancock’s dog (Bill was the Executive Director of the Bowl Championship Series and would take on that same role for the new tournament)…it’s ‘Dog.’”

 

Twenty years later, I’d like to ask that writer what he thinks now. A group of journalists was waiting for the college football equivalent of the “Super Bowl” name. Instead, they got a name that expressly indicated what this new event would be, remaining true to the authenticity of college football – a sport with a legacy of marching bands, cheerleaders, unique traditions, and fierce rivalries – as well as now crowning a national champion decided on the field of play instead of by a vote of journalists.

 

I’m blessed to have led that naming and brand launch effort in 2012 and 2013 while serving as a consultant to and then president of Premier Sports, Overland Park, KS. Our small team, comprised of hand-selected administrators from various collegiate conferences, plus representatives from ESPN and Ari Fleischer Communications (yes—that Ari Fleischer, he of press secretary to George W. Bush fame), investigated various naming options and conducted fan research to hone in on the best naming and positioning solution for this four-team event. Tradition, winning on the field of play (versus through media votes), authenticity, and maintaining the legacy of the (arguably) oldest organized sport in the United States—all were key considerations in the naming decision.

 

The name, coupled with a brand identity solution that is unique and differentiated in the world of sports, has helped propel college football and its postseason to where we are today.

 

This season’s 2024-2025 College Football Playoff marked a historic transformation in collegiate athletics, as the tournament expanded from four to 12 teams for the first time. The expansion created unprecedented excitement and opportunities for programs that previously would have been left out of championship contention. The two final teams – Notre Dame and Ohio State – were seeded 7^th and 8^th, respectively. They would not have made the College Football Playoff in the prior, four-team format.

 

The new format was designed to give more teams a legitimate shot at the national title while maintaining the regular season's importance. Under the expanded system, the top four seeds received first-round byes, while seeds 5-12 played in first-round games on campus sites for the first time. 

 

The expansion addressed long-standing criticisms of the four-team model, often leaving out worthy conference champions and creating controversial selection decisions. Now, with automatic bids for conference champions and at-large spots available, the path to inclusion became clearer while still rewarding excellence with those valuable first-round byes.

 

This new format also provided significant financial benefits to more schools through playoff revenue sharing, helping to support athletic programs across the country. Additionally, it gave NFL draft prospects more meaningful games to showcase their talents before making decisions about their future.

 

The playoff expansion represents college football's ability to evolve while maintaining its unique traditions and passionate fan base. (I’ll never forget the oddity of seeing a guy wearing a Texas sweatshirt sitting beside a woman wearing an Oklahoma hoodie, talking about their love for football in one of our focus group sessions in early 2013.) Whether looking at attendance figures, television ratings, or social media engagement, the evidence suggests that bigger has indeed been better for college football's premier event.

 

The number of average viewers nearly doubled from this year’s first round of games to the semifinals. Ticket prices for last night’s championship game were well above $2,000 in the secondary ticket market. Sportsbooks have reported heightened interest from gamblers. 

 

The new format is not without opportunities for improvement. The seeding of the 12 teams has been criticized, as evidenced by the lack of competitiveness in first-round games. Yet, that first round also produced unique, on-campus matchups, including Indiana playing Notre Dame and Tennessee versus Ohio State. (This year is only the second time the Vols and Buckeyes have met in football.)

 

In addition to seeding, other issues like compatible scheduling with the NFL will need to be addressed to achieve the ratings potential of this event. It’s also a challenge for fans—do you travel to a first-round game on another school’s campus…or wait in hopes that your team makes the semifinals or championship game?

 

Other key moments are on the horizon—a new media deal in 2026 that grants more governing power to the Big Ten and the SEC and – surprise – discussions about expanding even further to 16 teams from the present 12.

 

Regardless, this year’s playoff teased out the potential for the future of college football.

 

This new version of the playoff gathered momentum over the month of games and media attention. The games became more competitive. The average viewership climbed from 10.6 million in the first round to 16.9 million in the next to 19.2 million in the semifinals.

 

The ratings were higher in last year’s semifinal of Michigan-Alabama in the Rose Bowl (27.7 million), but that game happened on New Year’s Day in a bowl game that always pulls a monster ratings number. The 2025 semifinals occurred on Thursday, January 9, and Friday, January 10, so as not to compete with NFL Wild Card Round postseason match-ups on Saturday-Monday, January 11, 12, and 13.

 

The national championship game ratings are not yet in, but the expectation is that the 2025 edition will surpass last year’s 25 million for Washington-Michigan given the nationwide brand appeal of Notre Dame and Ohio State.

 

Will college football surpass the NFL? It’s highly unlikely. The NFL has a stranglehold on key Sunday afternoon, evening, and Monday night viewing windows. The NFL has also created a product made for television with shorter halftimes, commercial breaks where play continues (via split-screen), more cameras to record the action, and timely play reviews. This past season, the average NFL regular season game was three hours and 12 minutes compared to three hours and 24 minutes for college.

 

This first expanded playoff indicates a sport's potential to extend its appeal while remaining true to its most loyal advocates—the avid fans. A sport that has seen massive change given NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and conference realignment tapped into the opportunity to grow the sport, given the success of this first expanded postseason. 

 

As an architect of the original version, I’m excited to see what the future holds for the College Football Playoff.

The Future of Performing Arts: Key Trends Shaping 2025 and Beyond

As we settle into 2025, the performing arts landscape continues to evolve in fascinating ways. I have worked with two clients in this space over the past two years, thus observing and conducting secondary research to help both organizations with their strategic planning. From my view, several key trends are emerging that will likely define the future of live performance and artistic expression.

 

Digital-Physical Hybrid Experiences

Integrating digital technology with traditional performance isn't just a remnant of pandemic-era adaptations – it's becoming a cornerstone of artistic innovation. Companies are creating sophisticated mixed-reality productions where virtual elements seamlessly blend with live performers. We're seeing dance companies experiment with motion capture technology to create immersive experiences where audience members can view performances from multiple angles through augmented reality headsets.

 

Democratization Through Technology

Streaming platforms dedicated to performing arts continue to gain traction, making world-class performances accessible to broader audiences. Many prestigious venues now offer high-quality digital subscriptions alongside traditional season tickets, allowing art enthusiasts from around the globe to experience performances that were once limited to local audiences.

·      Carnegie Hall+ offers access to live performances, archival content, and behind-the-scenes features from New York's iconic concert hall.

·      The Metropolitan Opera offers Met Opera on Demand, which includes live streams of current season performances and access to hundreds of historic performances from their archives.

·      The Berlin Philharmonic's Digital Concert Hall provides access to live concerts and an extensive archive of performances, as well as interviews and documentaries.

·      The Royal Opera House (London) has ROH Stream, featuring both live and recorded performances of opera and ballet.

·      Lincoln Center at Home provides digital access to performances from across their constituent organizations.

Environmental Consciousness

Sustainability has moved from a minor consideration to a central focus in production design. Theaters are investing in energy-efficient lighting systems, while set designers are embracing recyclable materials and modular designs that can be repurposed across multiple productions. This shift reflects both environmental necessity and audience values.

 

Interactive and Immersive Experiences

The line between performer and audience continues to blur. More productions are incorporating elements of audience participation and environmental staging. Rather than passive observation, audiences seek experiences that make them part of the narrative. This trend is particularly evident in experimental theater and contemporary dance performances.

 

Cross-Cultural Fusion

Global connectivity has accelerated the blending of different cultural traditions in performing arts. We're seeing more productions thoughtfully combining diverse artistic traditions – like classical ballet with traditional African dance or Western opera with Asian theatrical elements. This fusion reflects our increasingly interconnected world while creating rich, new artistic expressions.

 

Micro-Performances and Alternative Venues

The definition of a performance space continues to expand. Pop-up shows in unconventional locations, micro-performances for intimate audiences, and site-specific works are becoming more common. This trend makes performing arts more accessible while creating unique, memorable experiences that can't be replicated through screens.

 

AI as a Creative Partner

While artificial intelligence won't replace human performers, it's increasingly being used as a creative tool. From generative music composition to dynamic lighting design, AI is enhancing rather than replacing human creativity. 

 

Some companies, such as the New York City Ballet, even experimented with AI-human duets in dance and musical performances. The Ballet partnered with AI researchers in 2023 to create experimental pieces where dancers performed alongside AI-generated visualizations that responded to their movements in real time. 

 

Social Impact Focus

More performing arts organizations are explicitly connecting their work to social issues. This goes beyond merely addressing themes in performances – it extends to community engagement, educational outreach, and collaborative projects with social justice organizations. Art as a vehicle for social change is becoming more intentional and structured.

 

Accessibility Innovations

The performing arts sector is making significant strides in accessibility, both through technology and thoughtful programming. This includes enhanced services for differently-abled audiences, multi-language support, and sensory-friendly performances. The goal is to make performing arts truly inclusive for all potential audience members.

 

Economic Model Evolution

Traditional funding models are being supplemented with innovative approaches to sustainability. This includes blockchain-based funding, membership models that offer exclusive digital content, and collaborative partnerships between commercial and non-profit entities. Organizations are finding creative ways to maintain artistic integrity while ensuring financial stability.

 

Looking ahead, the performing arts sector seems poised for a renaissance. While traditional forms will always have their place, the integration of technology, emphasis on accessibility, and focus on social impact create new possibilities for artistic expression and audience engagement. The key to success will be balancing innovation with the timeless human elements that make live performance so powerful.

 

Would you be interested in exploring any of these trends in more detail, particularly their practical implications for artists and arts organizations? Please reach out, and let’s talk.

The Great Debate: Does Expertise Trump Attitude?

  

In today's professional landscape, we often weigh the relative importance of technical skill against interpersonal qualities. While expertise represents the hard-won knowledge and capabilities built through years of study and practice, attitude encompasses our approach to challenges, our willingness to learn, and our ability to work with others. But which matters more?

 

The Expertise Argument

 

Technical expertise serves as the foundation of professional competence. It's what enables surgeons to perform life-saving operations, engineers to design safe bridges, and programmers to create robust applications. This deep knowledge, built through years of dedicated study and practice, can't be replaced by mere enthusiasm or a positive outlook.

 

Moreover, expertise builds confidence – both in ourselves and in those who rely on our services. When facing complex challenges, clients and colleagues naturally gravitate toward those with proven capabilities and demonstrated knowledge. A friendly demeanor alone won't fix a critical system failure or solve a complex legal dispute.

 

The Attitude Advantage

 

However, expertise without the right attitude can be surprisingly ineffective. We've all encountered brilliant individuals who struggle to collaborate, resist adapting to new approaches, or dismiss others' perspectives. Technical skill, while crucial, exists within a broader context of human interaction and continuous learning.

 

A positive attitude manifests in several critical ways:

-       Adaptability in the face of change

-       Willingness to learn from mistakes

-       Ability to collaborate effectively with others

-       Resilience when facing setbacks

-       Openness to new ideas and approaches

 

Perhaps most importantly, attitude often determines how effectively expertise can be applied and developed. Someone with strong technical skills but a poor attitude may find their expertise gradually becoming obsolete as they resist learning new methods or adapting to changing circumstances.

 

Finding the Balance

 

The reality is that both expertise and attitude are essential, but they operate on different timelines. Expertise represents our current capabilities, while attitude shapes our future potential. A positive attitude combined with moderate expertise often yields better long-term results than supreme expertise paired with a poor attitude.

 

The most successful professionals cultivate both. They maintain high standards for technical excellence while embracing growth, collaboration, and adaptability. They recognize that expertise provides the tools for success, while attitude determines how effectively those tools are used and how they evolve over time.

 

Practical Implications

 

For organizations, this insight suggests a need to evaluate both technical capabilities and attitudinal factors in hiring and development decisions. While technical skills can be taught, core attitudes about learning, collaboration, and resilience tend to be more fundamental to an individual's approach to work.

 

For individuals, it highlights the importance of developing both areas in parallel. Technical expertise should be continuously developed, but equal attention should be paid to maintaining an attitude that promotes growth, resilience, and effective collaboration.

 

The Verdict

 

In the expertise versus attitude debate, there is no clear winner because they serve different but complementary purposes. Expertise determines what we can do today, while attitude shapes what we might achieve tomorrow. The most successful approach is to treat them not as competing priorities but as essential partners in professional development.

 

Remember: expertise opens doors, but attitude determines how far through them we'll go.

Want to know more?

If this struck a chord with you, let’s talk. I’m a business problem solver and leader dedicated to helping brands prosper through practical strategic thinking, organizational design and counsel, and focused implementation. 

2025 Sports & Business Trends: The Evolving Landscape of Sports, Media, and Leadership

As we settle into 2025, several transformative trends are reshaping the sports and business landscape and, by extension, my clients' and prospects' businesses. From the revolutionary changes in college athletics to evolving workplace dynamics, here's a deep dive into the key developments defining our current moment and ones that I’m watching closely.

The New Era of College Sports

The collegiate sports landscape will continue its dramatic transformation in 2025. The transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals have fundamentally altered how programs recruit and retain talent. Major conferences are evolving into what essentially amounts to professional leagues, with revenue-sharing models that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

Freshman Darian Mensah, the former Tulane quarterback ranked as the No. 7 transfer QB by 247Sports, received a two-year, $8 million deal from Duke. According to CBS Sports, his reported $4 million average annual salary makes him the unofficial highest-paid player in the history of college football. Player pay could rise further depending on the House v. NCAA settlement that will trigger revenue sharing between schools and players.

Traditional powerhouse programs are adapting to survive in this new ecosystem, while some smaller schools are finding innovative ways to compete through strategic NIL collectives and regional partnerships. The Big 12 conference is reportedly investigating a naming rights deal with Allstate to close the conference's revenue gap with the Big Ten and the SEC.

The gap between the haves and have-nots in college sports is widening, raising important questions about the future of athletic programs at all levels of public and private institutions.

Streaming's Stranglehold on Sports Content

The streaming revolution in sports content has reached new heights. Traditional broadcast networks are increasingly partnering with or being outbid by streaming platforms for major sports rights. (Need an example? Check out Netflix’s $150M investment for two NFL games on Christmas Day 2024.) Fans are now juggling multiple subscriptions to follow their favorite teams, leading to both opportunities and challenges in the industry.

What's particularly interesting is the rise of sport-specific streaming services that offer deep analytical content, multiple camera angles, and interactive features. The personalization of sports viewing experiences has become a key differentiator, with platforms leveraging AI to deliver customized highlights and commentary based on viewer preferences.

Professional leagues can now deliver high-quality streams globally while collecting valuable viewer data and controlling content distribution. For fans, these services provide features like multi-angle cameras, real-time statistics, and archived games.

The trend is accelerating. The NFL’s Game Pass is evolving into NFL+, while FIFA+ launched to serve soccer fans worldwide. Even college conferences are developing streaming strategies through partnerships with major platforms.

Challenges remain, including regional blackouts and fragmented viewing experiences across multiple subscriptions. However, revenue potential is driving continued investment. Morgan Stanley projects sports streaming revenue will reach $23 billion this year.

Looking ahead, expect enhanced personalization, AR/VR integration, and likely consolidation among services. The future of sports viewing is increasingly direct-to-consumer. However, traditional broadcasts will remain relevant for marquee events and brands, e.g., 72 of the 100 most-watched live TV events in 2024 were NFL-related. (Note: This is down from previous years, but remember that last year was an election year.)

What’s clear is that sports streaming is no longer supplementary – it’s becoming the primary way many fans consume their favorite leagues. Unfortunately for consumers, the cost of being a sports fan has never been higher. From ticket prices to seat licenses to streaming packages, following your favorite teams now comes with an astronomical price tag.

Women's Sports: From Momentum to Mainstream

Women's sports have transcended the "emerging market" label to become a highly-valued powerhouse. Investment in women's leagues has grown exponentially, driven by record-breaking attendance figures and broadcasting deals. The WNBA's expansion, the continued growth of women's soccer, and the emergence of new professional leagues demonstrate the sustainable business model that women's sports now represent. 

Last year, women’s sports generated $1 billion in revenue (per Deloitte), a 300% increase from 2021.

Brands are following the money, with dedicated marketing budgets for women's sports rising significantly. The authenticity of female athletes' connections with fans (e.g., Simone Biles, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Livvy Dunne), particularly on social media, has created unique opportunities for sponsors looking to engage with younger, socially conscious audiences. 

 

The Content Conundrum: Brands Still Searching for Strategy

Despite years of digital transformation, many brands continue to approach content creation with a "spray and pray" mentality. The pressure to maintain a constant presence across multiple platforms has led to quantity often trumping quality. This approach is becoming increasingly ineffective as audiences become more discerning and platform algorithms become more sophisticated.

The most successful brands are those taking a step back to develop coherent, platform-specific strategies that align with broader business objectives. The era of posting content for content's sake needs to give way to more thoughtful approaches focused on meaningful engagement and measurable outcomes.

Redefining the Employer-Employee Contract

The relationship between employers and employees continues to evolve in unprecedented ways. Remote work has become permanently embedded in corporate culture, but the real transformation is happening in how companies approach employee well-being, development, and purpose.

Organizations are moving beyond traditional benefits packages to offer more holistic support systems. Mental health resources, professional development opportunities, and flexibility in work arrangements are no longer perks but standard expectations. The most forward-thinking companies are embracing this shift, recognizing that employee satisfaction directly correlates with business success.

Compassionate Leadership Takes Center Stage

Perhaps the most significant shift in 2025's business landscape is the elevation of compassion as a core leadership competency. This isn't just about being nice – it's about creating sustainable, resilient organizations that can weather uncertainty and change.

Leaders who demonstrate genuine empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to balance business objectives with human needs are seeing better outcomes across all metrics. This trend reflects a broader societal shift toward valuing human-centric approaches in business, with companies that embrace compassionate leadership showing stronger employee retention, higher innovation rates, and better financial performance.

Looking Ahead

As we progress through 2025, these trends will continue to evolve and intersect in unexpected ways. The organizations that thrive will be those that can adapt to these changes while maintaining a clear sense of purpose and values. The future of sports, media, and business leadership is being written now, and it's increasingly clear that old playbooks may no longer apply.

 

Want to know more?

If this struck a chord with you, let’s talk. I’m a business problem solver dedicated to helping brands prosper through practical strategic thinking and focused implementation. 

Compassion vs. Empathy

 

Compassion. Empathy. Two words that are very similar. Two words that are, in reality, significantly different.

 

I was struck this past Friday when two separate quotes on compassion showed up in various ways in my email inspiration feeds. The first came from the Dalai Lama, who said, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” 

 

The other was from the very reliable quote machine – Seth Godin – who wrote, “Compassion is more resilient than empathy. It is always available and it usually works.”

 

I’ve thought a lot this weekend about these two words and what we, as leaders, should consider in our focus on compassion and/or empathy.

The Subtle Yet Significant Difference Between Compassion and Empathy

While often used interchangeably, compassion and empathy represent distinct psychological and emotional experiences that shape how we relate to others' suffering. Understanding their differences can help us respond more effectively to both others' pain and our own.

Empathy: Feeling with empathy is our ability to share and understand another person's emotional state. When we empathize, we essentially step into someone else's shoes, experiencing their feelings as if they were our own. Picture a friend sharing news of a job loss – with empathy, you might feel their anxiety and disappointment coursing through your own body, their emotional pain becoming temporarily yours.

This emotional resonance has tremendous value in human connections. It helps us build deep relationships and understand others on a profound level. However, empathy can also have a darker side. When we fully absorb others' difficult emotions, we risk emotional exhaustion or what psychologists call "empathy fatigue." Healthcare workers and counselors often experience this phenomenon, where constant emotional alignment with others' suffering leads to burnout.

Compassion: Caring action compassion, while related to empathy, takes a different approach. Rather than merely feeling what others feel, compassion combines awareness of suffering with a motivation to help. It's the difference between feeling someone's pain and being moved to alleviate it. Compassion includes a degree of emotional distance that actually enables more effective support.

Consider a doctor treating a patient in severe pain. Pure empathy might paralyze the doctor with shared distress, but compassion allows them to acknowledge the patient's suffering while maintaining the clarity needed to provide treatment. It's a more sustainable approach to caring for others.

The Buddhist perspective offers particular insight here, describing compassion as the wish for all beings to be free from suffering. This definition highlights compassion's outward-focused, action-oriented nature. While empathy draws us into others' emotional states, compassion propels us toward constructive responses.

Finding the Balance: Both empathy and compassion play vital roles in human connection. Empathy helps us truly understand others' experiences, while compassion gives us the strength and clarity to help effectively. The key lies in developing both capabilities while recognizing when each is most appropriate.

In our increasingly complex world, where we're constantly exposed to others' suffering through media and digital connections, understanding this distinction becomes crucial. We need empathy's depth of understanding, but we also need compassion's resilience and action orientation to avoid emotional overwhelm and make a meaningful difference.

Perhaps the most powerful approach is to let empathy inform our understanding while letting compassion guide our response. This combination allows us to remain connected to others' experiences while maintaining the emotional stability and clarity needed to offer genuine help.

The next time you encounter someone in distress, notice the difference between feeling their pain and feeling moved to help ease it. This awareness might just help you become both a more understanding and more effectively supportive presence in others' lives.