In today’s workplaces, empathy has become more than a “nice-to-have” soft skill; it’s a leadership essential. But can it truly be taught?
According to recent Stanford University research, the answer is yes, and virtual reality (VR) is helping to make it happen.

Empathy: A Skill, Not a Trait

The Stanford team found that when people practised difficult workplace conversations through VR simulations, their communication became measurably more empathetic, even after a short session.
Participants who switched perspectives, experiencing the same conversation from another person’s viewpoint, began to use more inclusive and understanding language.

In other words, empathy can be learned when people are given a safe space to experience and reflect on real emotions and consequences.

Why VR Works for Soft Skills Training

Traditional training can tell you what empathy looks like, but VR lets you feel it.
Immersive technology engages both the mind and emotions, creating genuine perspective-taking moments that drive behaviour change.

At Virtual Training Studios, soft-skills modules such as Unconscious Bias allow learners to:

• Step into realistic workplace situations
• Practise responses in a risk-free environment
• Receive instant, personalised feedback

This combination of immersion, reflection, and repetition helps turn understanding into an authentic human connection,  a crucial advantage in diverse, fast-changing teams.

The Takeaway

Empathy isn’t fixed at birth. It’s a skill that can be developed,  especially with the right tools.
By pairing research-backed learning principles with immersive VR experiences, organisations can build stronger, more inclusive, and emotionally intelligent teams.

Because the future of leadership isn’t just about what you know,  it’s about how you make others feel.

Reference: “Stanford research finds VR training can help build empathy in the workplace,” Stanford News, July 2025.