One of the goals of the retreat is to build empathy. Tell us about one experience when you displayed or witnessed moments of empathy.

Sure, I'd be happy to share an experience.

A few years ago, I was working on a group project at university. One of our team members, let's call him John, was usually very active and contributed a lot to our discussions. However, I noticed that he had been quiet and seemed distracted for a few days. Instead of ignoring this or getting frustrated with his lack of participation, I decided to talk to him privately after our meeting.

I asked him if everything was okay and he opened up about how he was struggling with some personal issues. He was worried about letting the team down and didn't know how to express what he was going through. I thanked him for sharing this with me and reassured him that it was okay to take some time for himself. I also offered to help him with his part of the project until he felt better.

In the following meetings, I made sure to check in with him and see how he was doing. I also encouraged the rest of the team to be supportive and understanding. This experience taught me the importance of empathy in teamwork and leadership. It's not just about getting the work done, but also about caring for each other and creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.