This article was written by Sandra Ukrainka, a 2026 Temple of Understanding intern.
Think of a word to describe a leader. Did you say “strong?” Or “strategic?” Maybe something like “decisive” or “disciplined”? While all of those qualities are important, one essential characteristic of effective leadership often slips society’s mind: empathy.
Leadership is rarely viewed as something artistic or creative. Yet The Temple of Understanding’s guest speaker, Harvey Seifter, disagreed. Seifter spoke on July 20 to youth who are interning with the Temple of Understanding, a group that advocates for interfaith values in the secular setting of the United Nations. The group’s internship program is a month-long research and public service program for young future global affairs professionals aged 18-22. Harvey explored the role of artistic creativity in leadership through the lens of what he calls behavioral empathy.
Harvey Seifter is the founder and director of Art of Science Learning, an initiative that uses the arts to spark creativity in science education. He is a classically-trained musician, winner of multiple artistic awards, researcher, and published author. Most of all, he is an advocate for the power of art, especially in the scientific approach to leadership training.
We have all heard the word empathy. It is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and share their emotions. But how does behavioral empathy differ from emotional or cognitive empathy, and why does that distinction matter in leadership, policymaking, and advocacy?
The answer is straightforward: the key difference lies in accountability. Behavioral empathy requires leaders not only to understand and anticipate other people’s needs but also to translate that understanding into ethical, moral action. As Harvey explained, art cultivates empathy by expanding a person’s worldview. Imagination and curiosity encourage individuals to self reflect while also seeking to understand others. That is what distinguishes empathy from behavioral empathy.
Care, by its very nature, cannot be passive. It is proactive. It flourishes in an environment where empathy is transformed into meaningful action. Harvey acknowledged that not everyone can be taught to feel others’ pain. Some people may naturally struggle to develop deep empathy. However, for most people, artistic expression can serve as a powerful pathway toward strengthening this complex but ultimately rewarding capacity.
Harvey’s research found that incorporating the arts into leadership training was associated with improvements in qualities such as agency, collaboration, and communication. This suggests that people who engage in dance, music, theater, or other forms of artistic expression may be better equipped to become effective leaders and active members of their communities.
History offers compelling examples. Visionaries such as Albert Einstein, Helen Keller, and Frederick Douglass all shared a deep appreciation for the arts. Of course, one could argue that this is merely coincidence and that correlation does not imply causation. Yet when the same pattern appears repeatedly across generations, it invites us to ask whether success is sometimes driven not by luck alone, but by a less obvious force: a lifelong commitment to creativity and artistic expression.
Experts, historians, and political thinkers have long debated what makes someone an influential leader. Is it charisma? Confidence? Determination? Harvey’s ideas encourage us to approach leadership from a different perspective—one rooted in soft power rather than hard power.
Empathy lies at the heart of many qualities we admire in great leaders. It allows people to build trust, making them appear more charismatic. It fosters self-understanding, which strengthens confidence. It encourages collaboration, making leaders more determined, adaptable, and effective at bringing people together.
Perhaps the most important lesson is that feeling empathy alone is not enough. What matters is action. A promise means little without consistency between words and deeds. Emotional understanding and behavioral empathy must work together.
By building a bridge between these two forms of empathy, we can channel qualities such as resilience, innovation, and courage into actions that improve people’s lives rather than merely acknowledge their struggles. Art is one way to build this bridge, but another is advocacy. You can take the first step toward practicing behavioral empathy by sharing this message with your local policymakers, educators, and community leaders who have the power to turn compassion into action.
For example, anytime you read the news about the ongoing war in Ukraine, spread the word about what you learned from the source and urge others to stay informed. If you are able to go a step further, donate to humanitarian charities. If you really wish to challenge your behavioral empathy, then organize a benefit concert, or attend a peaceful rally, or write an article like this one. Use art and advocacy to be a leader. The most important thing is to feel, learn from that emotion, and then direct it into something that has a positive impact.