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Wired to Care: How Companies Prosper When They Create Widespread Empathy
In this essential and illuminating book, top business strategist Dev Patnaik tells the story of how organizations of all kinds prosper when they tap into a power each of us already has: empathy, the ability to reach outside of ourselves and connect with other people. When people inside a company develop a shared sense of what's going on in the world, they see new opportuni...more
Hardcover, 251 pages
Published
January 1st 2009
by FT Press
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Informative report on why empathetic companies do well
Executives often know little about the people who buy their companies’ products and services. This is not surprising. To study people, you must care about them. However, most companies eliminate empathy from their operations. In essence, they proceed as if they have calculating, survival-bent reptile brains. Profits drive everything. This is an odd disconnect because corporate livelihoods depend on people – not lizards – and people’s brains a...more
Executives often know little about the people who buy their companies’ products and services. This is not surprising. To study people, you must care about them. However, most companies eliminate empathy from their operations. In essence, they proceed as if they have calculating, survival-bent reptile brains. Profits drive everything. This is an odd disconnect because corporate livelihoods depend on people – not lizards – and people’s brains a...more
"Wired to Care" is one of the best business books I have read to date. Dev Patnaik explains why humans are hard-wired, as it were, to have empathy (including an explanation of the neurobiology of the limbic system) and then explains how it applies to business.
From stories about a young woman disguising herself as an older person (including prosthesis that impeded her movement) to better understand design issues for kitchen tools and public facilities as they impact the elderly, Patniak's deliber...more
From stories about a young woman disguising herself as an older person (including prosthesis that impeded her movement) to better understand design issues for kitchen tools and public facilities as they impact the elderly, Patniak's deliber...more
Excellent book for anyone that is leading a team creating services or products for people. The book outlines why empathy in any organization is an important enabler for long term success. What the book is lacking is recipes to achieve this empathy on an organizational level. Probably ok since it varies so much by industry. Here is my summary of the key ideas of the book:
You need to empathize with your customers to really understand their needs first hand rather than just analyzing them through...more
You need to empathize with your customers to really understand their needs first hand rather than just analyzing them through...more
Wired to Care has some fantastic and compelling examples about the power of empathy for design and business. The examples alone are worth the price of the book. And because it's full of stories it's a very easy read - even for a business book.
For all the great stories I wish there was more how-to in the book. I'm left with the feeling that, yes, empathy is clearly a huge thing - what are some more ways I can start putting it into action in my business. I needed more of the 'Putting empathy to wo...more
For all the great stories I wish there was more how-to in the book. I'm left with the feeling that, yes, empathy is clearly a huge thing - what are some more ways I can start putting it into action in my business. I needed more of the 'Putting empathy to wo...more
I have it on good authority that this is the book of the year.
I generally don't like business books and this is similar in style: lots of anecdotes and repetitive points with a very weak structure. It's hard to tell where it's going - it's just a series of stories. Sometimes it returns to extend previous stories, which seems like going backwards.
A more useful format might have been to embrace the anecdotes and structure the book around case studies rather than try to point to slightly different parts of a company's story at different times.
It earns a 3 sta...more
A more useful format might have been to embrace the anecdotes and structure the book around case studies rather than try to point to slightly different parts of a company's story at different times.
It earns a 3 sta...more
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The book is really persuasive in terms of how empathy is natural to every one and how it can create successful and sustainable business. However, there are not so many skills and techniques discussed. It's seems that empathy is so intrinsic and natural that we don't need to practice and can execute if we are willing to do so. But I really doubt whether our cognitive bias permit us to empathize well.
Wired to care provides a refreshing lens through which to view businesses and the various markets that they serve. Whether you and your business produce a product or provide a service, this is an instructive read. It’s full of relevant examples (e.g., Target, Nike, Xbox, and many others) showing that when businesses and people care about others, they thrive. What’s more, the principles in this book are easy to comprehend, easy to implement, and relevant to business as well as simply doing life.
While I appreciated the underlying theme of this book--utilizing humanity and empathy to create economic prosperity--the book was very redundant. In addition, although the copyright date is 2009, I think it was very out-of-touch with the reality that many companies are more concerned with being fat-cats as opposed to doing right by its empolyees and customers.
After hearing Mr. Patnaik lecture I bought his book. The idea that empathy with your clients, customers and employees improves your business would seem a no brainer, Yet, how often have you received poor customer service, been poorly motivated at your job or insulted by business partners. This is a book that seems to show that nice guys finish first, not last.
Sep 26, 2011
Michael Graber
added it
Wired to Care looks at real customer empathy as a primary tool for companies who want to connect with the world in real, positive ways. The case studies give life to the theory and show how empathy is not only a weapon that gives competitive advantage, but also creates things people need for a healthy life in society.
Feb 25, 2013
Tim Shaffer
added it
This book aligns well with step one, "Empathy", of Stanford's Design Thinking. I recommend for those who are looking for basic understanding of Design Thinking and real-life examples / application.
Really engaging, accessible manual for how to be a successful business and a good person. As Patnaik (and my friend Pete!) explain, they are mutually compatible.
I'm interviewing the author, Dev Patnaik, on Friday for The Chautauquan Daily. I'll be reading Wired to Care between tonight and Thursday night. It looks awesome.
Apr 09, 2013
Rachel Winchester
added it
Focused on the importance of empathy in innovation. Gaining a deep appreciation for your customers and the effect that has on your business.
I was really excited to read this, as a researcher and designer, empathy is key. That said, this book is relatively light; most of the examples I was familiar with, and it felt rudimentary. It's probably a good book for people looking to understand the process of good design, but a design practitioner might not get a lot out of this.
Only through part 1, but it's an interesting view to capitalism that I never was quite able to formulate internally.
This is a masterwork of...
Oh, I can't hide -- I'm the co-author of this book.
Oh, I can't hide -- I'm the co-author of this book.
Jan 13, 2010
Paul
marked it as to-read
Oct 11, 2012
George Wang
marked it as to-read
Nov 05, 2011
byulaa
marked it as to-read
very excited to read!
[free nook book]
This book just confirms the value of the approach i have always taken in health care sustainability - know the customer, compassion, authenticity... BUT a couple of sections didn't ring true for me like "today's generation wants disposable items." I don't think that's true.
A good idea, a good life, and a calling happen when we put ourselves in other people's shoes.
I got about halfway in this book, but the examples started to all meld together and seemed to have too much overlap. I also understand empathy as a designer, and the book seemed a little too basic (maybe I'm not the target audience though!)
Great book Lots of good info with real wforld applications.
Empathy gets well-deserved, long-overdue recognition in the professional realm.
an amazing must read book!!!!!
May 20, 2013
Nate
marked it as to-read
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Dev Patnaik is a founder and principal of Jump Associates, a consulting firm that helps companies innovate. Together with his teammates, he works with visionary business leaders to identify new markets, reinvent existing categories, and define new products and services. Dev is a trusted advisor to senior executives at some of America’s most admired companies, including General Electric, Nike, Proc...more
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