A thread on when empathy is not the right response--
Your community needs sheepdogs
Sheepdogs are people who can set boundaries to protect the sheep from the wolves
Instead of asking: "Do you have any questions?", ask "What questions do you have?"
The first almost always results in silence, while the second helps people feel comfortable asking questions.
Wrote up some thoughts on structures and tactics for gathering people together in low-stress, high-payoff ways.
Learned some of these lessons the hard way.
Picked up others by being part of beautifully designed events with thoughtful... See more