Episode 18: Avoid the Competition of Pain

(Recorded 5-26-25)

The competition of pain occurs when individuals compare their pain experiences with those endured by others. In the workplace, this FAR TOO OFTEN takes the form of an employee in one group believing that their marginalization is more important and destructive than the suffering impacting another in a different group. This competition leads to a lack of empathy and to a feeling of employees being neither seen nor heard. Friends - there is no hierarchy of oppression. 🙅‍♀️

We must combat the competition of pain. In this week's episode, I discuss three steps we all can take to mitigate against this comparative misery:

1️⃣ Feel your feelings (but not at the cost of others) 😢😑😊

2️⃣ Practice empathy and kindness ❤️

3️⃣ Find your "and" ☯️

As always, thank you so much for listening, for commenting and for sharing! 🙏

Duane Morris LLP Duane Morris Institute

______________________________________________________

Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year.

Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882

mcohen@duanemorris.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12

https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html

Pronouns: he/him