SAN ANTONIO ATD
THE LEARNING CONNECTION
How to Lead From The Heart Without Finishing Last: Shifting the Perception of Your Most Challenging People
Join The Empathy Guy, Joseph Cope, as he dismantles the myth of empathy as a “soft skill” and reveals it as a courageous, strategic force in leadership. Joseph introduces Fierce Empathy, the skill every leader can strengthen to create space for authentic connection without sacrificing boundaries or burning out. With raw, often hilarious stories from the classroom and the front lines of leadership, this award-winning educator-turned-empathy-expert equips leaders to reduce emotional fatigue and build cultures of trust. This session equips leaders with skills they can implement before going to bed that night: how to connect deeper, increase personal accountability, and create space for the change that is needed beneath the surface of your organizational culture.
Key Takeaways:
Redefine empathy as a fierce leadership skill that creates space for others to perceive the value of change for themselves.
Learn to intentionally implement empathy AND accountability so leaders can lead with agency and courage without slipping into burnout or self-neglect.
Discover how to implement an empathy-driven conversation with tools to identify the root causes of resistance , shift perspective, and increase human connection.
A collection of small bites and drinks provided + Networking opportunities!
Agenda
6:00-6:30 Networking
6:30-7:30 Presentation
7:30-7:45 Q&A + Raffle
Speaker Biography:
Joseph Cope, The Empathy Guy, has built a reputation around redefining empathy as a fierce, practical leadership skill. This foundational belief has fueled his journey from award-winning educator to highly sought-after speaker, and it’s what keeps his work rooted in presence, curiosity, and courageous human connection. Whether he’s speaking from top stages, guiding leadership teams with deep intention, or helping individuals reconnect with their own voice, Joseph’s mission is clear: Create space for people to choose growth, firstly for themselves, and then for each other.
