How important is it to be empathetic? Business experts agree that it’s the key to success.

Social entrepreneurs across the world agree, especially members of the Millennial generation. They are not simply talking about the value of being empathetic—they are making it the mission of their companies.

Consider the Holstee Manifesto. Pictured right, this treatise was written by three 20somethings in 2009, and has since has gotten millions of hits online, and sales of thousands of posters and greeting cards bearing the empathic, optimistic message: “This is your LIFE. Do what you love, and do it often.” Interestingly, the founders of the Holstee had no idea they were writing what would become the Desiderata of their time.

We had the opportunity to interview Michael Radparvar, one of the authors of the Manifesto, who is also the co-founder of the Holstee design firm that has the tagline: “Design with a conscience.” Check out his three Tips for Entrepreneurs, and our podcast on the new Inkandecent Radio Network. Plus, our Generations columnists explain why Millennials are so inspired by this Manifesto.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

• We shine a spotlight on Bill Drayton, founder of Ashoka, who gives us an international perspective on how 3,000 Ashoka Fellows around the world are making important global changes using the power of empathy. Our November Entrepreneur of the Month invited us into his corporate headquarters in DC to talk about Ashoka’s Start Empathy Initiative—and why it could be devastating to a child, and society at large, if kids aren’t empathetic by age 12.

• Here’s a first look at our upcoming Inkandescent Book for parents: The 10 Big Ideas: How to help your child think bigger, imagine more, and do better in school, by Dr. Carol Horn. Inkandescent Books is proud to be publishing it, for we know parents will learn much from Horn’s wisdom. Want proof? Meet her daughter, Kathryn Horn Coneway, who grew up living The 10 Big Ideas, which inspired her to co-found Art at the Center.

• With November being election month, we asked Forbes.com columnist Ken Krogue, Why did you vote entrepreneur? And, we had the privilege of interviewing international human rights expert “Karen Hanrahan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Human Rights and Democracy”:,”:https://beinkandescent.com/articles/1213/karen-hanrahan about the work she is doing under the Obama administration.

We leave you with this parting thought from Daniel Goleman, psychologist and New York Times science journalist, who said, “If your emotional abilities aren’t in hand, if you don’t have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can’t have empathy and have effective relationships—then no matter how smart you are—you are not going to get very far.”

Here’s to your success. — Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher, Be Inkandescent magazine • founder, The Inkandescent Group, LLC