We spend so much time trying to “fit in” at the office, but what if the secret to true leadership is actually unlearning the boxes we put people in?
Elie Wiesel wrote, “No human race is superior; no religious faith is inferior. All collective judgments are wrong. Only racists make them.”
Coming from a Holocaust survivor, those words carry immense weight. But here’s how they apply to us, right here, sitting at this table. In your career, you’re going to encounter “collective judgments”—those lazy labels people slap on others based on their age, their department, or where they came from.
Wiesel’s wisdom is a reminder to reject the shortcut. When we judge a group, we stop seeing the person. As you grow into your role, your superpower will be your ability to see every colleague and client as a unique individual. Don’t let “they always do this” or “that group is like that” poison your perspective.
Being a leader—and yes, you are a leader in training—means being the person who breaks those cycles. When you judge people only by their own merits and character, you don’t just become a better coworker; you become a person people trust and follow. Keep your eyes open, your heart curious, and always look for the individual behind the label.
3 Ways to Take Action Today
- The “One-on-One” Challenge: This week, grab a 10-minute coffee with someone outside your immediate circle. Ask about their journey rather than their job title.
- Audit Your Language: Notice if you use “they” or “them” when discussing other departments or groups. Try to pivot back to naming specific individuals and their specific contributions.
- Interrupt the Narrative: If you hear a colleague making a sweeping generalization about a group, gently redirect the conversation toward an individual’s positive performance.
“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” — Mahatma Gandhi