As a manager, I’ve always prided myself on being fair but firm. However, my recent encounter with a single mom named Celia has taught me a valuable lesson about compassion and understanding.
Celia had been late to work multiple times, and according to our company policy, that meant termination. I called her into my office, explained the situation, and let her go. She left without a fuss, which should have been a red flag.
It wasn’t until later that day, when I overheard coworkers discussing Celia’s situation, that I realized the gravity of my mistake. Celia and her six-year-old son had been living in their car, struggling to make ends meet after being evicted from their home.
The more I learned about Celia’s situation, the more I felt a deep sense of regret and responsibility. I had judged her without knowing the full story, and my actions had only made her life more difficult.
Determined to make things right, I tracked Celia down to a grocery store parking lot, where she and her son were living in their car. I apologized profusely and offered her job back, along with help finding resources to get her back on her feet.
At first, Celia was understandably wary, but eventually, she accepted my offer. Over the next few weeks, I worked tirelessly to help her secure a new apartment, increase her pay, and access assistance programs.
As I reflected on my experience with Celia, I realized that I had been so focused on following company policies that I had forgotten to be human. I had judged her without compassion, and it had almost cost her everything.
Celia’s story taught me that kindness shouldn’t come with conditions. Sometimes, breaking the rules is the right thing to do. As managers, as colleagues, and as human beings, we need to remember that everyone has a story, and sometimes, all they need is someone to listen.
If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation, I encourage you to share your story. Let’s work together to create a culture of compassion and understanding in our workplaces and communities.
