When a coworker stole credit for my work, I chose understanding over anger. Learning to see their motivations freed me from frustration and made me more strategic – while building empathy skills.
The story
I challenged myself to understand my coworker who took credit for my work instead of staying angry. Every time I thought about what happened, my blood pressure would spike. Walking into the office meant reliving that moment again and again.
Then I wondered: Why did they do it? Maybe they felt insecure or under pressure to perform. I didn’t excuse their actions, but seeing them as a whole person – not just the bad guy in my story – changed everything.
Once I shifted my view, I stopped obsessing. I could predict their behavior better and handle conversations more smoothly. The weight of frustration lifted. I gained a clearer head for solving problems.
This kind of empathy isn’t about forgiveness – it’s about freeing yourself. Understanding someone’s motivations, even when they’ve wronged you, helps you think more strategically and stay calmer. You don’t have to like them. You just have to get why they do what they do.
And the funny thing? Practicing empathy with difficult people makes you better at it across the board. Those emotional muscles grow stronger, making all your relationships smoother.
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