The power of empathy and respect in the workplace and your teen

Empathy, the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes to better understand how they are feeling and reacting so you can respond with compassion and care. is a powerful life skill, both on and off the job. The good news is that it’s a skill that can be learned and nurtured. Showing respect in the workplace also has many benefits. Read on to discover key points to keep in mind when it comes to empathy and respect on the job.

Understanding empathy and respect

Sympathy, empathy and compassion are related but distinct concepts. Sympathy involves feeling concern or sadness for someone’s situation, such as when someone is experiencing grief. Empathy goes a step further by listening to truly understand what a person is going through and hearing what they are saying. Compassion builds on empathy by turning that understanding into supportive action and care.

As the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety points out, “in a respectful workplace, everyone is courteous and considerate in their interactions with each other, as well as with customers, clients and the public." It’s a simple but meaningful approach in a world where basic manners can sometimes be overlooked.

Empathy and respect at work

There are many positive outcomes for young workers who can show and experience empathy on the job. It can strengthen teams, improve workplace culture and help people feel safe and open to sharing. It can also contribute to higher productivity and increased mutual respect.

Empathy also supports better customer relationships. When a customer is frustrated or upset, being able to pause and recognize that their reaction may be influenced by a series of events—not just the current interaction—can make it easier to respond calmly and effectively. This perspective can also help young workers manage and regulate their own emotions.

Showing empathy in the workplace

Your child may be unsure how to show empathy at work. Sometimes people don’t demonstrate empathy simply because they are unaware of others’ situations. For young workers who are new to the workplace, limited life experience can make it harder to relate to challenges their coworkers may be facing. For example, it may be difficult to fully understand what it’s like for a coworker dealing with a sick child or financial stress.

Talk to your child about ways they can:

• Show sincere interest in the needs and passions of others
• Acknowledge, validate and support others by asking questions, being curious and recognizing different perspectives, feelings and beliefs
• Listen actively
• Apologize and take accountability when they make a mistake

Showing respect in the workplace

Civility and respect should also be a priority at work. Encourage your child to:

• Arrive on time (and consider how lateness affects others)
• Listen carefully and follow directions
• Show appreciation for support from coworkers
• Value coworkers’ ideas and contributions
• Meet deadlines
• Keep conversations friendly but professional, avoiding gossip
• Be honest
• Respect others’ boundaries
• Use simple, courteous expressions such as hello, thank you, I’m sorry, and excuse me

How do you build empathy?

As a parent, you’ve likely already supported your child in developing empathy through everyday experiences, such as modelling empathy, volunteering, or discussing feelings and emotions together.
In the workplace, building empathy can include:

• Encouraging connection and open communication
• Sharing perspectives while welcoming those of others
• Challenging personal biases by reflecting on beliefs and recognizing that others may have different experiences
• Practising active listening, including listening to understand, not interrupting, using nonverbal cues, being  transparent and paraphrasing
• Imagining how you would feel in different situations