Can Empathy and Mindfulness be Measured

We get calls from clients asking to measure the ROI on empathy and mindfulness programs. Can they be measured? is their first question.

We say yes. So where does measurement start?

It starts with ‘I’. Do I intend to measure? If yes, do I have the skills and resources to measure soft and sensitive topic such as empathy and mindfulness?

Case Example: Below are the steps that can be followed to measure empathy

1.    List down the parameters that come close to empathy

2.    Eg. The parameters that can be considered are Ego and arrogance

3.    Mathematically

f(E) inversely proportional to M

E = Ego and M = Empathy.

Higher the ego, less is the empathy.

4.    As per the definition of Webster, we call it as the universal definition

Ego means the self esp. as contrasted with another self or the world. Empathy means, the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experiences fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner.

5.    Next, as per the company, we will need to define the dependent variables that can be measured (see table). We call it as the operational definition or operational variables. Please note the dependent variables may vary from company to company the factors. 

So let us consider the variables for the two factors ego and empathy

Dependent variable	Independent variables	Can the independent variables be measured
Ego	Concept of I, Knowledge, attitude and Culture,	Yes
Empathy	Life experiences, Ego,	Yes

The challenge will be for people to accept that they have EGO. Especially for people who undergo such empathy and mindfulness programs.

Many people ask me, “Do I have an ego?”

I say, “Yes, I do. And I know it. I need to form a habit of awareness of the arrogance and ego in me and of being mindful of my actions.”

So the key to start is to make people aware that they have an ego. And mind you it is not easy.

Once this is done and the participants accept their ego point of view. Half your job is done. Rest becomes easy

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.”