--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Empathy is not something we offer to our…" description: "\"“Empathy is not something we offer to our customers or our employees from nine to five... (it) is... \"a second by second, minute by minute service that..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/simon-sinek-349_empathy_empathy-is-not-something-we-offer-to-our_207748.jpg" --- # Empathy is not something we offer to our customers or our… ![“Empathy is not something we offer to our customers or our employees from nine to five... (it) is... "a second by second, minute by minute service that [we] owe to everyone if [we] want to call [ourselves] a leader.” quote by Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/simon-sinek-349_empathy_empathy-is-not-something-we-offer-to-our_207748.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/simon-sinek-349_empathy_empathy-is-not-something-we-offer-to-our_207748.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/simon-sinek-349_empathy_empathy-is-not-something-we-offer-to-our_207748.jpg) > ““Empathy is not something we offer to our customers or our employees from nine to five... (it) is... "a second by second, minute by minute service that \[we\] owe to everyone if \[we\] want to call \[ourselves\] a leader.”” [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leadership requires constant, genuine empathy toward everyone, not just during work hours. **In simple terms:** Leadership needs ongoing empathy. Key Takeaway Practice empathy every moment. Themes leadership empathy service Mood inspirational thoughtful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - customer service - team management - public speaking - conflict resolution Key Concepts Human-centered design servant leadership Questions to Reflect On - How can you show empathy without overstepping boundaries? - What daily habits reinforce genuine care? A Different Perspective Empathy can be perceived as intrusive if not balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Customers Employees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customers-employees-2151990/) [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [Empathy Offer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy-offer-2151989/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Minute Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minute-service-2151991/) [Nine To Five](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nine-to-five/) [Offer Customers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offer-customers-551665/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) ## Related quotes > [“If most companies don’t really know why their customers are their customers or why their employees are their employees, then how do they know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/if-most-companies-don-t-really-know-why-their-customers-are-their/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Offer your customers a long-term relationship, then do everything possible to build and maintain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/offer-your-customers-a-long-term-relationship-then-do-everything/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Boeing is always looking at innovative ways to offer customers the highest level of service and support.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leanne-caret/boeing-is-always-looking-at-innovative-ways-to-offer-customers-the/) [Leanne Caret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leanne-caret/) > [We're very much in the people business in that there are two important groups you have to work with: customers and employees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-deluca/we-re-very-much-in-the-people-business-in-that-there-are-two/) [Fred DeLuca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-deluca/) > [When a company gets bigger, when it begins to bring on employees, it naturally goes through this tendency of wanting to control, of wanting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-randolph/when-a-company-gets-bigger-when-it-begins-to-bring-on-employees-it/) [Marc Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-randolph/) > [Customers first, employees second, and shareholders third,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/customers-first-employees-second-and-shareholders-third/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [“Customers are first, Employees are Second and the Shareholders are third.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/think-maverick/customers-are-first-employees-are-second-and-the-shareholders-are/) [Think Maverick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/think-maverick/) > [Who comes first? Don't be silly, says King Hal; it's employees. That is - and this dear Watson, is elementary - if you genuinely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/who-comes-first-don-t-be-silly-says-king-hal-it-s-employees-that-is/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [The lesson for businesses is you are dealing with real people. Those are your customers, those are your employees, those are your bosses, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-thaler/the-lesson-for-businesses-is-you-are-dealing-with-real-people-those/) [Richard Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-thaler/) > [Nordstrom believes that great service begins with showing courtesy to everyone-customers, employees, and vendors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-spector/nordstrom-believes-that-great-service-begins-with-showing-courtesy-to/) [Robert Spector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-spector/) > [Most of my career has been in sales. 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I think I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bello/i-think-most-women-these-days-can-understand-me-juggling-a-career/) [Maria Bello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bello/) > [I never felt like the nine to five mentality is for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleister-black/i-never-felt-like-the-nine-to-five-mentality-is-for-me/) [Aleister Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleister-black/) > [“Don't matter if you're rich and strong Don't matter if you're weak Don't matter if you write a song The nightingales repeat Don't matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/don-t-matter-if-you-re-rich-and-strong-don-t-matter-if-you-re-weak/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) ## More by Simon Sinek > [Notoriously outspoken, his sentences always punctuated with profanities, General George S. Patton was the epitome of what a leader should be like - or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/notoriously-outspoken-his-sentences-always-punctuated-with/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [“When you are with Marines gathering to eat, you will notice that the most junior are served first and the most senior are served…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/when-you-are-with-marines-gathering-to-eat-you-will-notice-that-the/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [A parent does not do everything for their kid. A parent that does everything for their kid produces a kid with no self-confidence. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/a-parent-does-not-do-everything-for-their-kid-a-parent-that-does/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Don't wait for perfection before you start. Start somewhere so you can have something tangible you can work to perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/don-t-wait-for-perfection-before-you-start-start-somewhere-so-you-can/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Followers want to be taken care of. Leaders want to take care of others. We can all be leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/followers-want-to-be-taken-care-of-leaders-want-to-take-care-of/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [“Goethe, the great nineteenth-century thinker, reportedly summed up, “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/goethe-the-great-nineteenth-century-thinker-reportedly-summed-up-you/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Pursue the thing inside us and others will help us. Pursue the things outside us and others will compete with us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/pursue-the-thing-inside-us-and-others-will-help-us-pursue-the-things/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [“When a WHY goes fuzzy, it becomes much more difficult to maintain the growth, loyalty and inspiration that helped drive the original success. By…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/when-a-why-goes-fuzzy-it-becomes-much-more-difficult-to-maintain-the/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [“Without the protection of our leaders, everyone outside the inner circle is forced to work alone or in small tribes to protect and advance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/without-the-protection-of-our-leaders-everyone-outside-the-inner/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Any great and inspiring leader or organization that ever existed set out to do something completely unrealistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/any-great-and-inspiring-leader-or-organization-that-ever-existed-set/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [I try to find, celebrate and teach leaders how to build platforms that will inspire others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/i-try-to-find-celebrate-and-teach-leaders-how-to-build-platforms-that/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Instead of showing up to let everyone know how great we are, show up to find out how great everyone else is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/instead-of-showing-up-to-let-everyone-know-how-great-we-are-show-up/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Knowledge is understanding based on what has been studied and learned. Wisdom is understanding based on what has been felt and experienced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/knowledge-is-understanding-based-on-what-has-been-studied-and-learned/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [There's only one of me. With you using the why in the center of your work helps me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/there-s-only-one-of-me-with-you-using-the-why-in-the-center-of-your/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [“they didn't examine the problem and accumulate data to figure out the best solution - they engineered the outcome they wanted from the beginning.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/they-didn-t-examine-the-problem-and-accumulate-data-to-figure-out-the/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) [Explore all 654 Simon Sinek quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) ## More Empathy quotes > [I have a lot of empathy, and I think that's where mothering starts. You are there to empathise and facilitate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viv-albertine/i-have-a-lot-of-empathy-and-i-think-that-s-where-mothering-starts-you/) [Viv Albertine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viv-albertine/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Cinematography speaks to everything that women do inherently well: It's multitasking, it's empathy, and it's channeling visuals into human emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-morrison/cinematography-speaks-to-everything-that-women-do-inherently-well-it/) [Rachel Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-morrison/) > [“God has a way of picking a “nobody” and turning their world upside down, in order to create a “somebody” that will remove the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/god-has-a-way-of-picking-a-nobody-and-turning-their-world-upside-down/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“Understanding breeds empathy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/understanding-breeds-empathy/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [ That is another theme in the book \[Dreams from My Father\]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams-from-my-father-how-do-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Making a movie is about following characters and embarking on an adventure with them, seeing their reactions, and seeing what they do, having empathy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franck-khalfoun/making-a-movie-is-about-following-characters-and-embarking-on-an/) [Franck Khalfoun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franck-khalfoun/) > [“A novel is not an allegory...it is a sensual experience of another world. If you don't enter that world, hold your breath with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azar-nafisi/a-novel-is-not-an-allegory-it-is-a-sensual-experience-of-another/) [Azar Nafisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azar-nafisi/) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I try to treat every job with the exact same level of respect. When I go into it, it doesn't matter what the budget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaya-scodelario/i-try-to-treat-every-job-with-the-exact-same-level-of-respect-when-i/) [Kaya Scodelario](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaya-scodelario/) > [“CWC (Church Women Concerned) enabled us as women in that part of South Africa, to see ourselves as ordinary citizens who found themselves in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sindiwe-magona/cwc-church-women-concerned-enabled-us-as-women-in-that-part-of-south/) [Sindiwe Magona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sindiwe-magona/) > [Ultimately, my character is defined by the quality of my sensitivity to other people. I exist in equilibrium. I am here to the degree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/ultimately-my-character-is-defined-by-the-quality-of-my-sensitivity/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [I began to use my sensitivity. 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I need advice from Elizabeth Bennett.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-marchetta/i-need-voices-of-reason-and-of-hysteria-and-of-empathy-i-need-to-have/) [Melina Marchetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-marchetta/) [Browse all 2,480 Empathy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Empathy is not something we offer to our customers or our employees from nine to five... 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