Don’t take yourself too seriously. Make sure you have enough space to even make fun of your failures, your fears, your weaknesses.
We are wired to spot the threatening, the bad, the negative. But for most of us, in our modern world, that is very often overreaction. Bombing a presentation, missing a quarter’s goals, getting rejected is not going to be defining our own persona.
Unless you let it.
Approach every conversation with intention and clarity.
You might be in it because you need something: advice, listening, a hug?
You might be in it because something is needed of you.
One way or the other, making the need explicit increases the chances of actually having a successful conversation.
The alternative is to assume that something has happened when in fact it never did. We had a fantastic chat and we are perfectly aligned now. Except you are not.
Most often, you do not have the time to figure it out. So, ask instead.
The most interesting finding in this new research by MIT Sloan is the fact that failing to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion is considered a signal of a toxic culture.
Our analysis found that the leading elements contributing to toxic cultures include failure to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion; workers feeling disrespected; and unethical behavior.
It’a no longer just a matter of being fair to others who don’t look like us, don’t think like us, don’t see the world like us.
It’s a matter of business continuity.
Wake up.
What’s the impression you leave on those who are moving on?
What will your churned customer say about the service they got?
What will the exiting employee say about your company’s culture?
What will your colleague say as they transition to the new project?
Clearly, a mismatch emerged at some point. And the way you manage that does matter.
When you fall, you develop fear.
Some get back on the horse right away, some take their time, some never try again. I am not sure which one is better.
But when you fall, you develop fear.
And that’s something important to keep in mind as you work your way towards success.
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