Anyone here read Emotions Revealed by Paul Ekman? I think after reading this book it has helped me better to understand and connect with people's feelings. Building empathy isn't just about listening to people. It is also about understanding their body language, choice of words, tone etc.. More can be read from the body then what they are saying.

An interesting point of view is presented in a book Brain Rules for Baby by John Medina. He talks about how technology is destroying a growing mind to develop Empathy. Kids these days are more engaged on their smart phones messaging friends vs spending time in the play ground with them face to face. Their ability to build empathy by human to human communication is diminished. We are then left with kids that have social skill issues and instead of treating the root cause doctors push drugs into them. A spiral down into oblivion.