The mantra was tested in 200

The mantra was tested in 2008, when orders for its assembly line equipment dropped by 35%. Instead of thousands of employees losing their jobs, Chapman decided that everyone in the company would take a simultaneous six-week leave of absence. It wasn’t easy for everyone to manage for such a long period without salary but the idea that everyone would sacrifice to save the jobs of others solidified the company’s family atmosphere, Chapman said.

“In business school, you’re taught to push people to get the most out of them,” said Mary Rudder, Barry-Wehmiller’s spokeswoman. “But we are here to be stewards of our employees’ lives.”

That’s the way Nespor feels about the students at her school. The role-playing exercise, organised with help of a think tank, is one she thinks many teachers and business leaders could benefit from.

“Just being able to walk in someone else’s shoes for a day, it really changes how you think about other people,” she said.

If all managers would do that, workplaces could be more empathetic — and effective — places.