The Discernable Interviews
Empathy Series Episode 1: Damien Silm
37 Minutes
Damien Silm is an apple farmer in regional NSW who stands to inherit a fortune. I’m not referring to assets, to land or even to the legacy of his great-grandfather who planted those apple trees so many decades ago.
It is clear to me that Damien, as one of the most empathetic people I know, will inherit the future as our world increasingly values empathy in all spheres of life.
Not only does empathy make you a more agreeable person it means that you are more easily able to understand other people’s perspectives. And that can be pressed for a commercial advantage when designing products and services that the market actually wants.
It was refreshing to interview Damien for our series on empathy, as he joined me live from the rolling plains of NSW.
Show Notes:
02:37 – Cedar Creek Orchards
05:20 – Farmers show more empathy
06:57 – What apple farmers actually do
09:38 – The difference between sympathy and empathy
13:09 – Empathising with Victoria during lockdown
14:45 – The commercial advantage of empathy
17:35 – What is ‘reconstituted juice’?
19:47 – Why you MUST live on tank water!
21:02 – Why Damien grows apples instead of being a pilot
24:15 – You must enjoy your career
26:15 – Did you feel ‘trapped’ in a generational business?
28:28 – Other states don’t understand Victoria’s mess
29:12 – Is Victoria a leper state?
31:03 – Melbourne protests – justified?
32:35 – Damien displays his empathy
34:00 – Defending Dan Andrews
35:04 – What would a farmer say to millions of people?
