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By Sergey Kosenko
GULF TIME
What if the most powerful thing we could offer the world wasn’t our voice but our presence?
In an age where influence is measured by likes, followers, and fleeting moments of virality, we’re in danger of forgetting what truly moves people. Metrics may boost visibility, but they rarely create lasting impact. That comes from something quieter, deeper, something we’re only now beginning to truly value in a digital-first world: empathy.
We’re more connected than ever, yet in many ways, more emotionally distant. True leadership is about listening, not just to reply, but to understand. Empathy, emotional intelligence and the ability to be fully present are becoming essential skills in today’s world.
I believe we’re in the midst of a quiet revolution – one where storytelling evolves from performance to presence; where content becomes a bridge between hearts and minds, and where creators, entrepreneurs and changemakers lead not with noise, but with intention and emotional depth.
We’re entering a world where vulnerability should no longer be seen as a liability, but as a mark of strength. And compassion is the connective tissue of community. And presence is the key.
Today’s most influential voices aren’t always the loudest, they’re the most human. They’re the ones who create content rooted in lived experience, not just aesthetic appeal. Who use their platforms not for self-promotion, but to elevate ideas, causes, and connection.
So here’s a call to storytellers, founders, leaders and all of us: we are the culture we create. The future needs more tenderness. And in a place like the UAE, where innovation and youth empowerment are reshaping the next era, there’s a powerful opportunity to embed empathy into the very fabric of progress.
Because legacy isn’t built on trends or quick wins, it’s built on how we make others feel. And when that feeling is rooted in empathy, it outlasts any algorithm.
Success guided by heart creates impact that transcends the spotlight.
And in a world that often moves too fast to feel, empathy may just be the most powerful currency we have left.
The author is Global entrepreneur, influencer and empathy advocate Sergey Kosenko aka ‘Mr. Thank You’, joins forces with UNESCO to teach a new generation how love, not likes, will lead change.