Exploring Empathy & Effective Teams Podcast

Cut-off date: Sunday, February 8, 2026, 11:59 PM

The purpose of this podcast assignment is to encourage students to explore the role of empathy in building and leading effective teams by synthesizing course concepts and personal insights. Through creative storytelling or interview-style discussion, students will demonstrate their understanding of how empathetic leadership supports collaboration, trust, and team success.

Instructions:

Make a 5-8 minutes recording via Panopto or another platform with a shared link submission.

You may choose one of the following formats:

• Monologue: Share your personal reflections or stories related to this weeks material. You might connect the readings to a personal experience, reflect on how your views have changed, or dive deep into a specific concept (e.g., emotional empathy or team cohesion).
• Interview: Speak with a friend, classmate, coworker, or mentor about their thoughts or experiences that connect to this weeks content. Prepare 35 thoughtful questions to guide your conversation.
• Dialogue/Discussion: Have a meaningful discussion with a peer (including a classmate, if you choose to partner). Explore your differing or shared perspectives on one or more themes.
• Partnered Podcast: You may collaborate with one classmate to produce your podcast. Only one submission is needed for partnered podcasts. Please notify your instructor of the partnership before submitting.

Topic Ideas (choose one or more to explore):

• The distinction between true empathy and false empathy
• How empathy plays a role in effective team development or leadership
• Reflections on your own experience in teams (good or bad) and how empathy shaped that dynamic
• A deeper look at one of the three types of empathy: cognitive, emotional, or compassionate
• How empathy supports inclusive leadership and diverse team dynamics
• Real-world examples where empathy changed the outcome of a group, team, or relationship

1. Notes:Please refer to the Podcast Rubric on the start here tab for this assignment.
2. This presentation is due by Sunday at 11:59 PM EST.