--- title: Empathy vs. Perspective... Which One is Better? description: Empathy vs. Perspective... Which One is Better? image: https://info.imarketsmart.com/hs-fs/file-3555672277-jpg/blog-files/istock_000037354582small-451x300.jpg --- ### Get weekly nonprofit marketing ideas straight to your inbox ** [301.289.3670](tel:+1-301-289-3670) / [888.618.2015](tel:+1-888-618-2015) [**Contact](http://imarketsmart.com/contact-us) [**  Careers](http://imarketsmart.com/careers) - - - [![Imarketsmart](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/logo-basic-300x451.png?width=300&height=45&name=logo-basic-300x451.png "Imarketsmart")](http://imarketsmart.com/) [Get a Demo](http://imarketsmart.com/request-a-demo/) # Marketsmart Blog # Empathy vs. Perspective... Which One is Better? **![empathy](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hs-fs/file-3555672277-jpg/blog-files/istock_000037354582small-451x300.jpg?width=451&height=300&name=istock_000037354582small-451x300.jpg)Empathy helps you understand what a prospective donor is feeling. ** **Perspective helps you understand why they are feeling it.**   **Which one do you need in order to be a successful fundraiser? ** Both.   **Empathy keeps relationships on track.** Empathy helps you remember that your supporter lives on the west coast while you are on Eastern time. Thanks to your empathy you'll avoid calling her when you first get to the office at 8 am (5 am for her). In that case empathy is a very good thing to have. **Perspective is more intellectual.** With perspective you can understand your supporters' viewpoints, needs, desires, goals and aspirations. If the need is urgent and you know that the supporter has been waiting for an opportunity to fund (for example) an airlift to rescue dozens of refugees in a far off land, then you will call and awaken her at 5 am. Your perspective assures you that the donor will be happy you did.   **What do you think? Is one better than the other?**   LIKE THIS BLOG POST? PLEASE SHARE IT AND/OR SUBSCRIBE   - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) **Posted by**Greg Warner May 04, 2015 [** Next](https://info.imarketsmart.com/blog/why-i-like-this-ad/) [Previous **](https://info.imarketsmart.com/blog/9-questions-to-help-you-determine-if-your-results-are-good/) Search this site on Google Search Google #### Get Weekly Tips ![](http://11034n4348rz28bwol8ogod8.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/majorgiftmotivatorCTA-e1438624761470.png)Get captivating motivational quotes~*hand-picked for major and planned giving fundraisers*~delivered via email every Tuesday.![](http://11034n4348rz28bwol8ogod8.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/majorgiftmotivator-tile-sidebar-image-e1438802110804.jpg) [![Get Motivated](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1716178/3152951d-d234-4e33-8af5-19882b865e06.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1716178/3152951d-d234-4e33-8af5-19882b865e06) ### JOIN THE CLUB Become a better fundraiser! Enter your email below for tips and tricks guaranteed to help you raise more money and keep more donors at lower costs. ### DOWNLOAD OUR FREE EBOOK [![eBook Image](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/Hardcover-Book-FundraisingIsBroken-e1438787940530.png)](http://imarketsmart.com/resources/ebooks/fundraising-is-broken-ebook/) **A Fundraising Guide for Nonprofits**[![Get My Copy](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1716178/3f31af11-258f-4651-911c-07db0c7c1785.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1716178/3f31af11-258f-4651-911c-07db0c7c1785) ### Connect with MarketSmart ### Our Awards [![](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/2015_score_award1-1.jpg)](https://www.score.org/success-stories/marketsmart) [![](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/winner-1.png)](http://scoreawards.score.org/entry/8856382) ### Press Releases [![](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/washingtonpost.png)](http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-small-business/wp/2015/05/06/business-rx-how-to-manage-a-rapidly-growing-team/) [**](https://info.imarketsmart.com/blog/empathy-vs-perspective-which-one-is-better/#top) ![](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/LogoWithSlogan.png) [![](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/winner.png) ](http://scoreawards.score.org/entry/8856382)[![](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/2015_score_award1.jpg)](https://www.score.org/success-stories/marketsmart) ©2015 MarketSmart | 9658 Baltimore Ave., Suite 360, College Park, MD 20740 | [301.289.3670](tel:+1-301-289-3670) | [Privacy Policy](http://imarketsmart.com/privacy-policy/) | [Anti-Spam Policy](https://info.imarketsmart.com/anti-spam)