At a recent company dinner, I mentioned that I was writing about adulthood. This led to everyone sharing their thoughts on what it means to be an adult. When someone suggested that being an adult means having the ability to empathize, it sparked a debate. One colleague, who is an ENTJ, jokingly asked, "Does that mean all people with a 'T' in their MBTI aren't adults?" That was the starting point for a lively discussion, and although I don't quite recall the conclusion, it was the most engaging conversation we've had in a while.

As an ESTP, my initial thought was, "What does empathy have to do with being an adult?" But after hearing others out, I started thinking that maybe adulthood isn't about being naturally good at empathy. Rather, it's about making an effort to empathize.

In decision-making processes, we sometimes say, "Let's follow the advice of the adults" when we can't reach a conclusion. While this is often said in jest, it reflects a belief that adults, unlike children, are wiser because they have more experience. So why is wisdom important? A community has a better chance of surviving and thriving when led by wise individuals who make sound judgments.

Empathy helps us get closer to wisdom. It prevents us from being trapped in our own knowledge or emotions and allows us to understand the circumstances of others. While being empathetic doesn't automatically make someone wise, it's difficult to be considered wise without empathy or at least an effort to understand others' situations. A wise person, after all, seeks to know what they don't already understand.