Summary of Pharrell Williams’ Masterclass on The Power of Empathy

15 key takeaways from the 13-times Grammy winner and other notable co-instructors

masterclass.com

1. It’s just not a natural thing to be automatically thinking of others all the time. That’s why we have to consciously challenge ourselves to do it more. Moving towards understanding what others are going through may not come naturally, but rising to that challenge, from moment to moment, is what moves humanity forward.
2. Empathy is the best tool for creativity. Being able to feel what others feel at an insightful level is crucial for any type of creative work. When we do not share our way of thinking and do not care to understand that of others, we cannot grow. That’s why it’s important to hear a wide variety of stories from an array of different viewpoints.
3. Empathy leads to greater self awareness. It helps you realize that you are a part of something greater than yourself. For Pharrell, this happened when he was writing the song Happy, about the grumpy character Gru from Despicable Me becoming happy. When he tried to write the song for himself, it just didn’t work quite right no matter how hard he tried, but when he decided to write the song for others, it became a hit.
4. Empathy is not sympathy. It’s not about feeling sorry for someone. It’s about opening your eyes through the…