Advanced Empathy for Design Engineers 200

No engineer has ever taken a class call "Developing Empathy 101" or "Advanced Empathy for Design Engineers 200."  Rarely are design classes organized and taught around the the goal of developing a deep understanding of customer/client and user needs.  Getting educators and engineers on the empathy bandwagon requires a basic interest in, curiosity about and empathy for customers/clients, to elicit and capture their stories.

One core axiom of engineering never changes - the ability to put yourself in another's shoes is critical to framing a problem so it can be solved.  This requires engineers to have the "divergent" learning style - the ability to look at things from different perspectives.  This forces engineers to be sensitive - engineers that want to watch rather do, tending to gather information and imagination to solve problems.  These engineers should have broad cultural interests and are interested in people.  They like to work in groups and listen with an open mind.

Human-centered design will require organizations to find and train more divergent learners and thinkers.