Connecting MacBook pro to Samsung monitor

I have a 2016 Macbook pro and a Samsung CF390 Series 27in monitor I just got for working from home with my PC. I have been trying to hook it up to my Macbook via a docking station that has a number of peripherals in it for both my work PC and Macbook. I have found that if I just hook up the monitor to the macbook pro it won't detect the monitor. However, if I turn on work pc, connect the monitor, and then unplug and plug the docking station into my macbook it works just fine. Not sure what I am doing wrong. Thanks for any info.