Often, we fail to treat people as individuals. Rather, we see them as a means to an end, a tool to be manipulated to achieve one’s desired outcomes. Once our own needs are sated, those who no longer have value to us are quickly casted aside.

In the digital age, this phenomenon is growing more pronounced where faces, voices and any semblance of physical presence get reduced to bits of data. It’s easy to forget that the party on the other end of the line is a human with feelings as well.

Ironically, when seated face-to-face with another human, an increasing number prefer instead to look at their lighted screens than the person(s) across the table. Such behaviours highlight the appalling lack of respect and empathy in today’s generation.

In an increasingly connected world, we’ve sadly become more disconnected as humans. To counter this, I hold several principles close to heart to remind myself to practise empathy:

• Respect others as equal, dignified individuals
• Be mindful in the company of others
• Never leave somebody hanging
• Show appreciation for what others have done for you
• Treat everyone with love and compassion