By: Krystina E. Daniels, MSHR, SPHR
The Philly SHRM Symposium 2025 kicked off with great enthusiasm as the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue welcomed attendees. The event began with a captivating keynote speech by Charlene Li, who guided us into the digital age with an insightful discussion on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Human Resource (HR) processes. Following her, Danny Goldberg prepared to deliver a heartfelt message on the importance of empathy and care in managing our workforce.
Session Information – Care Today
Danny Goldberg, a workplace culture expert, acclaimed speaker, and award-winning entrepreneur, began his speech with a heartwarming story about his first employee. He detailed how pivotal she was to the success of his business due to her unwavering loyalty to the company’s mission and to him as a leader. This level of loyalty did not develop overnight and was not merely a result of wanting to stay employed. It was built because Danny took the time to meet and learn about her when she started working for the company.
His speech, titled “Care Today, Thrive Tomorrow: Transform Engagement and Retention in the Future of Work,”introduced the concept of safety for employees. He emphasized the importance of setting the tone for leadership by being approachable and not just a figurehead. By creating opportunities for staff to interface with him, Danny fostered psychological safety within his team.
Danny continued by sharing that he learned this dynamic style of leadership from his father. Observing his father build his own business, transition to working for a company, and then return to entrepreneurship to help Danny build his own company, Danny witnessed this profound level of care and leadership firsthand. His father demonstrated how to forge genuine connections, seek to understand people, and cultivate a level of care so deep that the team couldn’t help but reciprocate.
This experience profoundly shaped Danny’s own leadership style, instilling in him the importance of empathy, approachability, and genuine care for his team. By adopting these principles, Danny has been able to create a supportive and engaging work environment where employees feel valued and motivated. Danny has done a remarkable job of honoring his father’s legacy. By sharing this valuable insight with us, he ensures that his father’s contributions and memories continue to inspire and impact others. It’s a beautiful way to keep his father’s spirit alive and to remind us of all the importance of preserving and sharing our loved ones’ stories.
Change in His Mindset
As Danny built his business, he quickly realized that true care extends beyond his employees to himself and his family. Amidst his business success, he faced the challenge of supporting his mother through her battle with cancer. This experience made him take a step back, be present for his mother and family, and recognize the importance of cherishing the moments and people that matter most. Despite some around him not sharing the same sentiment, Danny persevered, leading by example and being a steadfast support for his mom and family. This journey taught him that care can be expressed in many ways, prompting him to change how he worked and treated himself, as well as those who worked for him.
Conclusion: Leading with Empathy
The Philly SHRM Symposium 2025 showcased the vital role of empathy and care in shaping the future of work, with Danny Goldberg’s powerful message resonating deeply. His heartfelt narrative about loyalty, built through genuine connections, reminds us that leadership is not just about authority but about fostering relationships grounded in trust and support.
Danny’s experiences—both in business and through personal challenges—underscore a transformative leadership style that prioritizes psychological safety and approachability. His journey illustrates that true care extends beyond our teams to ourselves and our families, emphasizing the need to cultivate a balanced, compassionate approach to leadership.
Now, it’s time to put Danny’s insights into practice. Let us commit to creating workplaces where empathy is not just encouraged but embedded in our daily interactions. Take a moment to connect with your team members on a personal level; listen to their stories and make space for open communication. By doing so, we can build an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive.
Join us in honoring Danny’s legacy of care and leadership by leading with empathy in your own practices. Together, we can transform our workplaces into supportive havens that inspire loyalty and drive engagement. Let’s make a concerted effort to prioritize the human elements of our organizations and ensure that every employee feels seen, heard, and appreciated.
For more on Philly SHRM’s upcoming events, visit their website.
About the Author
Krystina E. Daniels, the HR Manager for Beck Institute, holds a Bachelor of Science in Cultural Communication from the University of Phoenix, a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Wilmington University, and is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Innovation from Wilmington University. She has also received training in and is certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the University of South Florida and holds a SPHR certification. Her passion for training and development has led her to volunteer with the Philly SHRM Workforce Development Team. Giving her the chance to bridge the gap for opportunity youth, and individuals who may not have access to traditional means of education and/or employment. Krystina’s vast experience includes providing leadership and human resources services, including training, recruitment, and organizational development. Assisting individuals and organizations with strategic planning, coaching and mentoring employees, managing diversity initiatives, conducting workplace investigations, and designing employee surveys. Krystina is also an active member of the Philly SHRM Thought Leadership Team.
Editor: Dennis Paris
Becoming a Philly SHRM Thought Leader
We are always looking for inspiring minds! If you are interested in learning more about how to become a Philly SHRM Thought Leader, offering your professional views about this or any Thought Leader article, or want to chat about contributing content on a hot or innovative HR-related topic, please reach out to Dennis Paris and Evelyn Reed, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Co-VPs of Thought Leadership at: thoughtleader@phillyshrm.org
