Have you ever heard the phrase, “Work is work, please don’t take it personally,” or been told, “You’re too emotional, please set it aside”? These sayings have become common in workplaces, where emotions are often pushed aside to maintain productivity. But let’s pause and ask ourselves: Can we ignore the fact that we are still a human and have emotions?
We all know the workplace can be a tough environment. Many times, employees feel compelled to set aside their emotions and personal opinions simply to keep their jobs and provide for their families. But imagine for a moment—wouldn’t you feel more motivated to work each day if your boss understood your situation? Instead of hearing, “No excuses, just meet the deadline,” imagine hearing, “I understand what you’re going through right now, take a break and let me know how I can support you.” This kind of empathy is not just nice to have—it’s a key ingredient in creating a motivated, productive, and engaged workforce.
One of my friends once asked me what I look for most in a workplace. The top answer on my list? Empathy. Empathy fosters a sense of belonging, rewards collaboration, and creates an environment where people feel supported and valued. When empathy is at the core, everything else falls into place—strong teamwork, great mentors, recognition, and the shared understanding that we are all in this together.
Empathy is what makes us human. While we may be professionals, we are not robots. We are individuals with emotions, struggles, and lives outside of work. You are not the only one with problems. Empathy is about recognizing these struggles and offering support when it’s needed. Such as telling your coworker who just lost a relative to “take a leave”, for a sick one to “get well soon”, and a worker is doing overtime to “go home early, you’ve done enough”.
Empathy is the ability to relate. Empathy in the workplace helps foster a culture of care and mutual respect, avoiding office politics and promoting collaboration. It’s easy to fall into the trap of workplace drama or to engage in gossip, but empathy allows us to see beyond our frustrations and recognize the human beings behind the titles. Even if you disagree with a coworker or boss, you will still care about their well-being and wouldn’t want to see anyone suffer.
Empathy is also transferrable. We often hear phrases like, “Spread happiness” or “Why are you mad at me just because the director shouted at you?” What if we took that to heart and made it a habit to spread empathy wherever we go—whether in the workplace or in our communities? When you lead with empathy, you encourage a culture of kindness and understanding. And in turn, that empathy can help heal rifts and bring people together, making work feel less like a competition and more like a team effort.
So, the next time you’re about to shout at someone for making a mistake, engage in office politics, or take a harsh stance that could lead to their termination, ask yourself: How would I feel if I were in their shoes? How would the bright future of my children be affected if I were that person? Before reacting, try to empathize. Be humble. Apologize if necessary and promise to be more mindful in the future. Because empathy is not just a workplace skill—it’s a life skill, and it’s one that we all need to make our professional and personal relationships stronger, more compassionate, and more fulfilling.
Empathy is not a weakness. It is a strength—a powerful tool that can transform how we work, how we lead, and how we connect with one another. Therefore, let’s prioritize empathy, and let it guide us in creating a better, more human-centred workplace.
