Historian Jon Meacham: How Leaders Harness the Power of Empathy

Jon Meacham, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian who has written several biographies of U.S. presidents, said empathy is a key character trait for effective leaders, especially in the current climate of dramatic polarization between political parties.

Meacham cited several examples of when presidents such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt and George H.W. Bush demonstrated their sympathy for others when making decisions that defined their administrations.

"The two saving graces of America: a sense of humor, a sense of generosity," Meacham said, directly quoting FDR, who led the United States during Great Depression and the dark days of World War II. FDR developed a famous friendship with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as the leaders worked to defeat the Axis Powers.

Meacham spoke at Florida's Palm Beach Atlantic University while promoting his latest book, "The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels," as part of a speaker series started by former Senator George S. LeMieux.

The current political environment is more "about degree, not about truth," Meacham said, while warning about executive hubris. "The American presidents who get in trouble are those who think that they are smarter than we are."

Retired Gen. Martin Dempsey and former CIA agent Michele Rigby Assad echoed Meacham's themes about compassion. They said empathy not only is important for leaders, but also for any person who values diversity in daily interactions with others.

Dempsey, co-author of "Radical Inclusion: What The Post-9/11 World Should Have Taught Us About Leadership," discussed some of the lesson he learned while stationed in Iraq and Centcom commander.

He said a subordinate advised him that a nun had approached the base where he was stationed. The nun asked guards if she could conduct a religious service and pray with his soldiers.

Although Dempsey ultimately agreed, he was concerned some of the soldiers did not have the appropriate demeanor to interact, even conversationally, with a nun. At her insistence, she went over to that specific group of soldiers. Soon every one of his Dempsey's soldiers joined with her in the prayers. The nun reminded him he should not ever discount or forget all of his subordinates.

Assad, author of "Breaking Cover: My Secret Life in the CIA and What It Taught Me about What's Worth Fighting For," discussed themes of human empathy in her former job of identifying terrorists. She said there is not a single composite description for a "terrorist."
The same is true for counter-terrorist informants who might provide potentially life-saving intelligence. Informants do not necessarily fit into molds like "Arabic" or "Muslim," and it is important to be open-minded about people, she said.