Patience and Empathy
Written by Anthony Demangone
As managers and leaders, you will work with people.
People who have brothers and sisters. Â People who have pets. People who have spouses. Parents and grandparents.Â
People like me. I found out that my brother has to have open-heart surgery this week. He's my big brother. He's too young for this. He has two wonderful sons, and the nicest wife anyone could want. His condition weighs on my heart and mind.Â
People like my wife's friend, who found out in one day that her mother has cancer and that her husband lost a job that provided for their family.Â
(My poor wife received both bits of news within a 15 minute span!)
My wife's friend will not be having a good day today. Â Neither will I. Â It's just not going to happen.
The world is wonderful, but it can be an outright bummer sometimes as well. Â The downside affects people, some of whom work with you.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You measure a person not in the moment, but through the seasons.
So, the next time you see someone not on their A-game, relax. Their mind might be with their big brother.Â