This commentary provides thought leadership on employing empathy authentically in a post-pandemic world. Dr. Johnson makes the case for empathy leaders to adopt a perspective of "consideration without pity," a relational instructional strategy that expects youth development professionals to meet youth where they are yet hold each other accountable for set goals and objectives—academic and otherwise. Recommendations for practice and training are included as examples of explicit practices to cultivate a culture and ecosystem of high-quality youth development.

after-school; out-of-school time; empathy; standards; youth development

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