Culture Talks: Human-Centered Leadership: Empathy, Design, and Staying True to Purpose

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In the latest episode of Culture Talks, hosts Lorne Rubis and Wayne Suiter Matamoros, Partner and Head of Empathy in NYC, dive into a thought-provoking conversation about human-centered design, empathetic leadership, and the role of purpose in solving complex challenges.

Why Empathy Matters in Leadership & Innovation. 

Empathy isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage. Lorne and Wayne explore how putting people at the center of design and decision-making leads to more impactful solutions, whether in business, social impact ventures, or organizational culture. They discuss:

  • How empathy transforms leadership – moving beyond traditional top-down approaches to foster trust and collaboration.

  • The challenges impact-driven founders face – staying true to purpose while navigating business realities.

Practical strategies for embedding purpose in teams and company culture.

Key Takeaways for Leaders & Changemakers

  • Human-centered design isn’t just for products—it’s essential for shaping workplaces and communities.

  • Empathy drives innovation by uncovering real needs and creating meaningful solutions.

Purpose must be actionable—how to move from intention to implementation.

Check out a few clips from this episode!

 

Why You Have to Jump In:

Ready to rethink how empathy and purpose can shape your leadership? Join the discussion on how we can build more human-centered organizations.

What’s your biggest challenge in leading with empathy? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Listen to the full episode of Culture Talks to dive deeper into these topics and discover how you can apply these lessons in your own organization!