As an HR professional, I always have an answer prepared for those icebreaker questions at the beginning of every workshop or project kickoff. You know the ones…
“What animal would you be?” > Dolphin
“Favorite self-development book?” > Atomic Habits by James Clear
“What’s your superpower?” > Empathy
For some reason, that last one made me a little uncomfortable the first time I said it aloud. As silly as it sounds, when I began working in corporate, I thought I had to hide my empathetic side. I was afraid that leadership would see it as a weakness. I thought I had to approach situations from a purely analytical and logical perspective in order to succeed.
However, as I progressed in my career, I quickly learned that empathy isn’t just okay; it is important. My role working in early careers often involved guiding recent graduates as they transitioned from academia to their first professional job - a journey filled with excitement, nerves, and let’s face it, a lot of uncertainty.
A Moment That Changed My Perspective
One day, I met Jordan*, a new graduate struggling to find their footing in the fast-paced and highly regulated world of biotech. They felt overwhelmed and unsure if they were the right fit. Instead of focusing on performance metrics, I listened to their story. We discussed their fears, motivations, and long-term goals. I also created a safe space so Jordan felt comfortable opening up about what they needed to succeed.
This simple act of listening helped Jordan feel valued and supported. Over time, they not only found their rhythm but began thriving, even taking on leadership roles within their project teams.
Why Empathy Matters in Early Careers
In early careers, we’re often a bridge between the idealism of university life and the realities of the corporate world. Empathy helps us:
Build trust: Helping new employees feel seen and understood during this transition.
Create genuine connections: It’s about addressing concerns while also recognizing the individual behind the role.
Have difficult conversations: When delivering challenging news, leading with empathy helps build bridges. With the right approach, it makes those difficult conversations a little easier.
Building a People-Centric Culture
No matter your role, empathy is essential. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Empathy is critical to fostering a workplace where new employees can explore, grow, and truly belong.
People-centric cultures aren’t built through policies alone; they’re crafted through meaningful interactions.
As HR professionals, empathy allows us to create a culture that thrives on understanding and mutual support. When employees feel heard and valued, they grow and contribute to a culture of success for everyone.
*names have been changed