How Important is Empathy at Work?

Cathie Leimbach • March 12, 2024

Empathy, often considered a soft skill, plays a pivotal role in fostering a positive and productive work environment. Yet, this ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person, is often undervalued.


In the workplace where deadlines and targets dominate, understanding and connecting with colleagues on a personal level may seem secondary. However, research and workplace dynamics suggest otherwise.


Empathy is not just a natural trait but a skill that can be cultivated. Actively practicing empathy can enhance one’s ability to comprehend and share the feelings of others. In the workplace, this results in improved communication, collaboration, and a sense of belonging among team members.


When employees feel a genuine connection with their colleagues and managers, the benefits extend far beyond the emotional realm. Increased empathy correlates with higher efficiency and productivity. Managers who invest time in understanding the personal lives of their team members create an environment where employees feel valued and supported which, in turn, leads to greater job satisfaction and a stronger sense of loyalty to the organization.


In a fast-paced and competitive workplace, showing empathy might be the most efficient use of a manager’s time. Taking a moment to inquire about an employee’s well-being not only builds trust but also fosters a culture of mutual respect. Ultimately, a workplace rich with empathy becomes a breeding ground for creativity, innovation, and sustained success.

Maximize Your Day: Start the Night Before

By Cathie Leimbach • October 21, 2025
Want to boost your performance? According to James Hewitt, author of Regenerative Performance , a truly high-performance day doesn't begin when your alarm goes off—it starts the night before. Hewitt shows that rest isn't a reward you earn after a busy day; it's a vital part of your work strategy. Think of sleep as a required meeting for your brain and body to repair and prepare. Without proper rest, you can't show up as your best self, and the consequences are serious. Here’s a startling fact from research: Staying awake for 17 to 19 hours straight can impair your performance as much as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05% . While the legal limit for driving in the U.S. is 0.08% BAC, many countries consider 0.05% to be legally impaired. After 24 hours of wakefulness, impairment is similar to having a 0.10% BAC, which is well over the legal limit. This level of fatigue slows your reaction time by up to 50%! To avoid this dangerous drop in performance, Hewitt offers a few top tips for better sleep: Create a Buffer: Spend the hour before bed winding down. Avoid work, stressful news, and intense exercise. Manage Your Light: Dim the lights and stop using electronic screens about 30 minutes before sleep. Be Consistent: Go to bed and wake up around the same time every day. By making sleep a priority, you're not just resting; you're actively preparing for success with a sharp, clear, and high-performing mind. View Maximize Your Day to see exactly how fatigue affects your performance!

Boost Your Focus with Cognitive Gears

By Cathie Leimbach • October 14, 2025
In his book, Regenerative Performance, author James Hewitt suggests thinking about your brainpower using the idea of cognitive gears. This simple idea can help you manage your energy and get more done without burning out. Just like a car, your mind has different gears: high, middle, and low. Learning to switch between them is key to working smarter. Understanding the Gears The high gear is for your toughest, most important work—the stuff that needs all your focus, like solving a hard problem or writing a detailed report. Use this gear when you have lots of energy and can block out all distractions. It's powerful, but you can’t stay in it for long; it drains your energy quickly.  The middle gear is your everyday speed. Think of it as "autopilot" for tasks that need less intense focus, such as checking emails, attending routine meetings, or working on familiar projects. You can stay in this gear for longer stretches, and it's where most of your day-to-day work happens. The low gear is for recovery and maintenance. This isn't about working at all! It's about taking breaks, moving your body, and doing activities that let your mind rest, like going for a walk or chatting with a co-worker. Using the low gear helps you recharge so you can shift back into middle or high gear when you need to. Drive Your Day Smarter The secret to regenerative performance is to be mindful of which gear you're in. Don’t try to do high-gear work all day. Schedule short, focused bursts in high gear, then shift to middle gear for less demanding tasks, and always make time for the low gear breaks. By consciously managing your cognitive gears, you'll improve your focus and keep your performance high without running out of gas. Want a quick visual reminder? Check out Cognitive Gears , summarizing these gears!