“Everyone loses when, in our desire to fit in, we present a counterfeit self to our co-workers.” – Garth Jestley
There is a big shift happening in workplace culture related to how we present ourselves. With new generations coming in, we are saying goodbye to a façade and hello to authenticity. Who we are in our personal lives and who we are at work are finally becoming blurred lines that help us see more clearly.
Bring Your Kids to Work
Not only are we talking about our families, we are embracing what it means to effectively balance success at home and success at work. Some of you may have seen Bumble Founder, Whitney Wolfe Herd, become the youngest female CEO to take her company public with her one-year old son on her hip. If you’re on social media, you’ve also seen the feel-good stories of professors across the country holding students’ babies so their parents can focus on schoolwork – like Morehouse College’s, Nathan Alexander. And finally, you have Kristen Anderson, Founder and CEO of Catch, publicizing her negotiations while expecting her first child.
Connect Over Common Interests
Outside of family life, you’re also seeing colleagues connect through common interests. This could be through your organization’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that promote open and honest conversations for diverse groups of people. You could also find coworkers through your company’s social channels that want to connect over a passion for fitness, cooking, or other hobbies.
Speak Up
The emphasis on two-way conversations has become instrumental in the success of organizations. Conference rooms have transformed from a place where you used to just sit and listen to a space that welcomes ideas and suggestions. For any thriving company, you should not find a shortage of times and places to speak your mind and tell an employer what you really think – whether it’s an existing approach that might be flawed or an innovative idea that brings fresh perspective. If they’re smart, companies will open the flood gates to know how they can become more successful in business and an employer of choice.
Knowing who you are can sometimes be a challenge in and of itself. This is a great opportunity for companies to make an investment in their talent. Through an assessment called Human Design (link to HD on website), individuals and teams can gain a better understanding of who they are without conforming to the idea that society has set. Using only the information from the date, time and place of your birth, your assessment is truly objective. Team workshops are available once you obtain your assessments to clear a path toward working better and smarter together.
