Beyond the Suit: A Story of Empathy, Resilience, and Unseen Challenges

Are you really considering firing him? This young man came from a poverty-stricken community, yet he showed remarkable promise despite the odds. His commitment to learning earned him an incredible opportunity as an intern with our organization. Back then, we were a global company dedicated to providing at-risk youth with internships, aiming to help them break free from poverty and show them what was possible.

He arrived early every day and left after the other interns had gone. Yet, there were plans to let him go. Why? Because he didn’t dress the part. We had given the interns a clothing allowance to dress appropriately for the workplace. Some suspected he might have pocketed the money instead.

Concerned about these assumptions and judgments, we convinced leadership to talk with him and understand why he wasn't dressing as expected. His explanation was both real and heartbreaking. He couldn’t come to work or leave dressed in a suit and tie because it made him a target in his neighborhood. He feared for his safety, knowing he would be jumped in the morning and evening if he dressed that way. He wanted to do the right thing, but his life and welfare mattered more.

We found a solution. We arranged an account with a dry cleaner next door and provided a locker at the gym in our building. This allowed him to change once he arrived and leave with clean, pressed clothes every day. He turned out to be an excellent intern, outshining others who had never faced his hardships. But he almost didn’t get the chance to prove himself. He almost received a message that he wasn’t valued or trusted, reinforcing a belief that the world didn’t want him to succeed. And we would have missed out on his talents and perspective.

What saved the situation? Curiosity and empathy. Never assume you know someone else’s truth.