“I stayed at work late.”
“I put a lot of effort into this.”
“I skipped lunch.”
“I came in on my day off.”

There are a lot of things people say when they really mean something else. Most workplaces don’t have a culture of laid-bare honesty. So what we hear can often be code for something deeper. Something like:

“I don’t feel appreciated.”
“I feel like I’m working harder than others.”
“I’m someone who needs acknowledgement.”
“I don’t feel seen.”

Look for the clues. Consider, “Why is this person saying this? Is there a need that’s not being met?”

You might have a conversation about it. Maybe. But even if you don’t, you can make a habit of witnessing with empathy.