Erika Sinner from Directorie on the “Great Regret”

Beyond cush benefits and aspirational values, it’s about recognizing humanity in each individual and moving past the surface to create deeper levels of compassion and understanding. 

I believe that by learning to recognize and validate one anothers’ feelings and experiences, leaders can cultivate deeper connections with their team members and clients to build a company culture that’s rooted in trust and support.

Ultimately creating a kinder, more human-centric work environment. 

Today’s employers grapple with talent retention.

Acknowledging employees beyond their titles, recognizing their lives outside work, and valuing both personal losses and celebratory moments are fundamental retention strategies. 

Acknowledging that events outside work profoundly impact our professional lives is essential.

Organizations must recognize the value of policies supporting employees during pivotal moments, providing management training to identify these instances, even when they aren’t visibly apparent.

For me, it started with having pet bereavement leave in our office policy.

That was my moment that mattered where even if not well understood by others, the loss of my dog truly impacted my overall wellbeing. My advocacy extends beyond pet bereavement leave, though; it encompasses acknowledging employees’ holistic lives beyond their work roles. 

The employee journey isn’t linear; it’s about identifying key moments that shape experiences.

This doesn’t always entail elaborate policies, but instead, it can be done by recognizing birthdays, celebrating personal milestones like moving into a new home, and engaging in meaningful conversations during 1:1s to celebrate joyous moments and provide space during tough times.  

While it’s often said that a poor boss can drastically alter one’s experience at a company, I firmly believe it’s not solely about the boss; coworkers play an equally significant role.

These efforts don’t always require grand gestures. They can be as simple as a brief chat, an email, or a text message expressing congratulations or simply letting someone know they’re in your thoughts. This does not come naturally to everyone and requires intentionality.   

It involves pausing to move beyond the apparent milestones and instead being fully engaged in conversations, actively listening to uncover deeper needs, fostering greater connections in our work, and ultimately making our time at work more meaningful.

By recognizing the power of ‘moments that matter’ and embedding empathy into company cultures, we build workplaces rooted in compassion. The goal isn’t just about policies; it’s about fostering a human environment where employees feel seen, supported, and valued beyond their roles. 

As leaders, we have the power to cultivate a more compassionate workplace by acknowledging these moments and providing the support needed.

Let’s initiate conversations and build a future where compassion in the workplace isn’t an option but a fundamental aspect of organizational culture.

It truly does start with a sincere, “Hey, how are you?”