Anita Nowak: On the Life-Changing Power of Empathy
Author Anita Nowak discusses how the last decade has helped empower the message in her new book, Purposeful Empathy.
Anita Nowak, PhD, is an empathy expert, speaker, podcaster, award-winning educator, certified coach, and founder of Purposeful Empathy by Design, a boutique global advisory firm that helps purpose-driven organizations create cultures of empathy and social impact.
Passionate about mentoring the next generation of changemakers, she teaches leadership, ethics in management, and social entrepreneurship and innovation at McGill University. Anita lives in Montreal with her husband and daughter. Find her on Facebook and Instagram.
In this post, Anita discusses how the last decade has helped empower the message in her new book, Purposeful Empathy, her hope for readers, and more!
Name: Anita Nowak, PhD
Literary agent: Tom Miller
Book title: Purposeful Empathy: Tapping Our Hidden Superpower for Personal, Organizational, and Social Change
Publisher: Broadleaf Books
Release date: April 11, 2023
Genre/category: Business & Economics/Leadership/Management/Self-Help
Elevator pitch for the book: An inspiring and practical book that argues the world needs more empathy, and by tapping our hidden superpower, we can transform our relationships and workplaces, and lead healthier, happier, and more meaningful lives.
What prompted you to write this book?
In 2010, I interviewed dozens of social entrepreneurs for my PhD in Education at McGill University, in Montreal. I wanted to understand what motivated them to become changemakers because my goal was to develop curriculum that would inspire the next generation. Across the board, regardless of the issue they were addressing—including access to healthcare and education, micro-finance, women’s empowerment—they could not turn a blind eye to people suffering or being marginalized. I discovered that empathy moved them into action.
When I understood that empathy was their primary driver, I began my decade-long deep dive into the subject. I explored empathy across the ages and began to understand its power and potential through philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, the arts, spirituality, leadership, and social change studies. Along the way, I also began doing empathy experiments and started reaping personal benefits to my health and wellness.
The idea that empathy practiced on purpose could benefit anyone and contribute to a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world was a compelling idea that I needed to share.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
This book has been in the making since my PhD defense in 2011. The core message has remained consistent over the past 12 years, but the evidence to back my arguments are now overwhelming—especially in the face of climate change, the rise of new technology like AI, since the #metoo and BLM movements, and on the heels of COVID.
The most important evolution to my thinking has been about empathic leadership and empathic culture in the workplace. It’s never been more clear that empathy is needed across all spheres of our lives.
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
Absolutely! Over the years I spent writing my book, many friends encouraged me to self-publish. I know they were well-meaning, but I was steadfast about wanting to work with an agent and a publishing house. It may have taken longer to get my book out into the world, but I’m grateful I was stubborn because I learned so much through the process.
Thanks to my agent, I learned what’s involved in crafting a strong proposal and the importance of “growing a platform.” I have him to thank for my podcast and YouTube series, now 120+ episodes strong. I also learned how rewarding it is to work with a publisher who understands an author’s vision and an editor committed to bringing out a diamond from the rough. Reworking two chapters nearly from scratch was painful, but there’s no doubt that my editor’s tough love improved the manuscript.
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
I learned how much I got in my own way! I grappled with imposter syndrome, self-sabotage, and the fear of other’s judgment. Thankfully, I learned a lot from other authors about how to turn that around and will always be grateful to Steven Pressfield (The War of Art) for helping me “slay resistance” and “turn pro;” Elizabeth Gilbert (Big Magic), for imbuing me with “fierce trust” in my capacity to create; and Brené Brown (Daring Greatly) for reminding me that vulnerability, like empathy, is a superpower.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
I hope they will realize how much they stand to benefit from practicing empathy on purpose and be inspired to make important changes in their lives.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
To see themselves as a vessel through which a creative, generative force wants to express itself, and to surrender fully to that while holding tight to their authenticity.
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Editor of Writer's Digest, which includes managing the content on WritersDigest.com and programming virtual conferences. He's the author of 40 Plot Twist Prompts for Writers: Writing Ideas for Bending Stories in New Directions, The Complete Guide of Poetic Forms: 100+ Poetic Form Definitions and Examples for Poets, Poem-a-Day: 365 Poetry Writing Prompts for a Year of Poeming, and more. Also, he's the editor of Writer's Market, Poet's Market, and Guide to Literary Agents. Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
