Empathy at Work: Building Better Businesses Through People-First Leadership

by Christopher Kaufman

Empathy at Work is a transformative guide to leadership by Chris Kaufman, cofounder and former chief creative officer of StockX, a revolutionary global e-commerce platform. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Kaufman has seen the auto industry of Motor City rise and fall and rise again—leaving him to wonder, “What makes a company stand the test of time?” In this book, he affirms that people are any company’s greatest asset and explores how leaders can bring out the best in their teams, allowing each individual to shine.

Kaufman recounts his own experiences as an executive as well as what he learned in his academic research while completing a master of science in learning and organizational change from Northwestern University. With a mix of personal anecdotes and external case studies, he details how leading with empathy and showing vulnerability can create workplaces that are psychologically safe and conducive to innovation and teamwork. The implications are significant for individuals and organizations alike, reflected in verifiable results, from improved employee satisfaction to lower turnover rates and greater profitability.

Whether you are a new manager, a first-time founder, or a C-suite executive, Empathy at Work offers valuable insights that can help you turn a culture around—or build it from the ground up. The practical guidance covers everything from hiring to articulating vision and values, leaving readers with actionable tips they can implement in everyday practice. Seize the opportunity to lead from the heart and transform your workplace with the strategies provided in Empathy at Work.

Genres: Business

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is such a refreshing and necessary reminder of why empathy matters. As someone who has spent time working in the corporate world, I found Kaufman's insights especially resonant. His thoughtful exploration of empathy’s importance and recognition of how undervalued it has become in some professional spaces felt both validating and timely. My only small critique is that the section featuring interview questions meant to assess empathy felt a little too familiar, as many of the examples were ones I’ve heard in standard interviews. Even so, the overall message and commitment to bringing empathy back into the heart of workplace culture were inspiring and incredibly worthwhile.

Thank you to Forbes and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. The book was well written, and flowed easily. In the current atmosphere of the world, empathy is lacking as a whole. We spend the majority of our day at work, and sort of focus on building empathy within that space, feels important. Anyone in a position of leadership, who finds morale, creativity, and innovation lacking in their workspace. - should give this book to read. To see if there’s something new, they could learn.

[MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited to get this as an ARC as this is a topic near and dear to my heart. I was looking at kindness at work as a way to spark creativity and build resilient teams. This book comes to the same conclusions as I did in my research. However, it's written by someone who has walked the talk in an engaging way. This book avoids the traps of many business books as it perfectly balances antidotes, case studies, and research yet never feels dry. It's structure makes it really easy to look at all the various pieces that come together to create a culture that embraces innovation by creating an environment where it's safe to fail. A chapter on creating psychological safety in organizations should be mandatory for any leader.

The author particularly challenges the idea that those in the C-Suite have to be perfect and argues that vulnerability is what's needed in today's business landscape. Easy to follow steps on how to do this is a reoccurring theme in this book. There's a chapter on hiring, something I truly appreciated. I love the tips on how to interview for fit. It's interesting reading a book in 2025 that is making the case for diversity in organizations in the current US landscape.

This is definitely a resource that I'm planning to go back to as I move into my own consultant and speaking work. Highly recommend.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leading is about making others shine without dimming your own light. I've learned from readings like this that a good leader isn't the one who provides all the answers, but rather the one who creates the space for their team to discover them, question them, and propose something better.

As author Kaufman states, leading is truly listening. It's knowing that no one grows by being given orders, but rather by being trusted. Teams don't need a hero. They need someone who sees them, challenges them, supports them, and makes them feel part of something bigger.

One of the things I liked the most is that this author is straight forward, his explanations are concise, and his anecdotes exemplify very well what he wants to express. Page after page, this writer encourages people to be the best leaders they can be for their team.

All in all, I recommend this helpful read to anyone becoming a leader.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does it mean to have empathy at work? Simply stated, it means leading in a style that encourages people to feel safe and comfortable around each other. This might not seem like it matters all that much, but if you are someone who has ever worked in an office environment that felt toxic, you will know that in reality, nothing could be more vital.

If you read this book, you will learn some techniques that are certain to make everyone around you feel more tranquil and composed. You will be able to get the best contributions from them because they will not be afraid to speak their minds. Consequently, you will push the company forward and often to greater heights, and that’s something that every worker can be proud of.

[CarlitasFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great tool
Well, I believe that “Empathy at work”, by Christopher Kaufman, is a transformative book that leaders and employers should read as a rule. It delves into values and qualities that a leader should have to keep the team encouraged and comfortable at work. There are some human aspects that are important to highlight when it comes to any job, such as the individuality of every employer, his or her strengths, weaknesses and potential. By understanding some of these aspects, the leader can make any person shine in the team. It goes without saying, the team will benefit from that and will thrive as a group.
All in all, it’s a well-written, clear book that touches interesting topics for leaders. I highly recommend it.

[Gianfranco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the key to business success

Now that I am a team leader, I have sought advice and tools to learn how to lead everyone so that we can grow together.
Well, this book has confirmed the need to have a human perspective, capable of validating the personal and professional needs of each member in order to achieve innovation, fresh ideas, leadership, and teamwork.

I must say that the masterful way in which Kaufman presents his anecdotes and connects them with practical applications is what drew me most to reading this book. I also love that the author leaves no one out, as he focuses on each of the stages of work in which people may find themselves involved.

[Yolanda Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this book is the best leadership guide that I have ever read, this approach is incredible and something that I really think is the best way to lead and have a compromise and connected teamwork. It is a book full of real stories and case studies that proves that leading with empathy and vulnerability can create safer space for your team and also can increase their creativity and innovation. I loved that it is a book that proves every little information given and also with real life examples shows that this approach not only lowers turnover rates, but also will put you closer to meeting all the goals you have.

[S Tyty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those leadership books that manages to be wise and warm. I liked it because it doesn’t preach or complicate. It teaches through real stories and lived experience.
I loved how the author connects empathy to measurable outcomes. He shows that trust, psychological safety, and compassion are the foundation of lasting success.
I think that the book's authenticity is what makes it special. Empathy at Work left me inspired to lead with more heart and reminded me that empathy truly transforms teams, organizations, and lives.

[Chico's Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I’ve read a lot of leadership and business books, but this one excels really. There are moments when the book almost reads like a conversation with a mentor. The advice is clear, but never condescending: hire better by valuing personality and integrity, communicate vision with clarity, listen to employees when they speak up, and lead with vulnerability so people aren’t scared to do the same.
I finished this book feeling inspired and challenged in the best way.

[Mel Mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has some powerful insight on leading with empathy excited to finish the book and gain some knowledge

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book that is easily applicable to all levels of leadership. 5 stars!

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯