How do you describe yourself? What parts of your identity do you choose to include, and which do you miss out? More than likely, your answer depends on the context – you may answer differently on a dating app than in a job interview, both of which are very different from how you think about yourself internally.
Category Archives: Authenticity
Are You a “Furniture Maker,” or Simply a “Maker?”
Last month I was fortunate enough to spend some time behind-the-scenes in a well-known Boston-area robotics company. This is a workplace that requires a signed NDA before entry, but one thing I can talk about that came up during the conversations about their engineers is relevant to workplaces the world over – the idea thatContinue reading “Are You a “Furniture Maker,” or Simply a “Maker?””
Could You be Your Workplace’s “Minister for Loneliness?”
Have you been through periods of life where you’ve felt isolated from the people around you? How about times where you’ve felt a strong sense of connection and belonging? How have the eras of your life felt different in that regard? If it’s a spectrum, where would you place this current era of your lifeContinue reading “Could You be Your Workplace’s “Minister for Loneliness?””
The Value of Drop-In AMAs
Do you have that one colleague whose work you just don’t understand? You’re always confused about what their role is and what it is they actually do? Turning it around, would any colleagues wonder the same about you? Whether we work in a complex organizations with multiple departments, or in a small tight-nit organization, manyContinue reading “The Value of Drop-In AMAs”
A Census Approach: Representation through Authenticity
Do you wear glasses? Are you on a health-related diet? Do you use a hearing aid? Take ADHD medication? Are you an addict in recovery, with a support system in place? Whether any of these specific situations are true for you or not, the majority of us use aids or accommodations of some kind toContinue reading “A Census Approach: Representation through Authenticity”
How to Make Your Bed at Work
You’ve probably heard axioms along the lines of “success starts with making your bed.” You may have even seen the popular 2014 University of Texas at Austin Commencement address by Naval Admiral William H. McRaven, which has inspired thousands of people to make their beds each morning when they first wake up. But whether or not youContinue reading “How to Make Your Bed at Work”
Life Happens… Even During Major Projects
If you’ve ever had a death in the family, a house fire, a medical emergency, or a life-shaking diagnosis for you or someone close to you, you know that these things don’t happen at convenient times. They can also be painful in a way that seems to alter time itself – time can both grindContinue reading “Life Happens… Even During Major Projects”
Three Tips to Avoid Othering in a Divisive Environment
My kids and I have always enjoyed reading super hero comic books. The idea I’ve always bristled against, though – even in the context of fictional or real-life war stories – is the idea of a “bad guy.” In well-developed fictional worlds, knowing a villain’s own story from their perspective can change how you thinkContinue reading “Three Tips to Avoid Othering in a Divisive Environment”
Using Your Team’s Previous Work Cultures to Build a Better One
During a series of team building activities with a client this week, it was noticeable that one newer member of the group shared ideas that were shut down or ignored by the rest of the group – including the director of the department. Rather than point that out in the moment, I let the groupContinue reading “Using Your Team’s Previous Work Cultures to Build a Better One”
How a Digital Detox Could Benefit You
Every Sunday morning, my phone vibrates and pops up a notification to show me how much “screen time” I’ve spent on my phone over the past week. Every week I think with some dismay, “that can’t be right.” But then when I think about how much time I’ve also spent in front of a laptopContinue reading “How a Digital Detox Could Benefit You”
Building Bridges Leadership 