Belonging in the Workplace | by Tamara Boivin

June is Pride month. It’s a month for celebrating uniqueness, authenticity, inclusion, and belonging. It is a time to reflect, to ensure within ourselves, our relationships, and our workplaces that we are not enabling division, but rather using our differences to join, revolutionize, and create collaborative success. At the same time, for some in the LGBTQ2S+ community it is a difficult month. It’s a time where shame, fear, and anxiety are heightened. For others, it is a huge celebration of living authentically as who they are. For allies and the community at large, there are varying opinions of pride month that circulate and are either uplifting or disheartening. This can be said about so many other areas in our lives.

We are all arriving at different destination points in our life at different times. We are dealing with making choices, decisions, changes, and really just trying to move through life to the best of our ability. Life can be labeled hard, confusing, overwhelming, too much to deal with, or on the flip side,  incredibly peaceful, rewarding, and happy. No one truly knows what is going on for each other unless we open up, share, and live with open hearts and minds.  

Our differences don’t have to divide us. They can bring us closer together, even unite us—when we are willing. It takes an incredible amount of courage to be one’s true self. The journey to figure life out, to possibly go against the norm, or to carve a new pathway is often lonely.  

If you are someone who is comfortable in who they are…have you ever taken a moment to think about what others may be going through or how scary life may be—just to be themselves? 

“The opposite of sensitive is not brave. It’s not brave to refuse to pay attention, to refuse to notice, to refuse to feel and know and imagine. The opposite of sensitive is insensitive, and that’s no badge of honor.” – Glennon Doyle, Untamed

What if we were surrounded by people who are willing to ask, learn, and understand each other?  

When we create a safe space to talk about real life stuff, with no shame, no judgment, no guilt, we can embrace ‘difference.’  

“People may hate you for being different and not living by society’s standards, but deep down they wish they had the courage to do the same.” – Kevin Hart

I would like to be part of a space for us to come together with all of our differences; our looks, feelings, views, ideas, choices, how we identify, our backgrounds, upbringings, challenges, traumas and stories—to be open to talking, to be vulnerable, to be heard, to be seen, to be understood, to have real conversations, to educate each other, to be “known” and still be accepted. Think of the positive impact that will be created. 

Here’s what Key Instincts does to cultivate compassion, kindness, and belonging within our organization and with our clients. 

We help build company culture, create safe space to express oneself and to connect as individuals and humans. We have found that participating in personal and real conversations, activities, and projects together can offer more genuine connection.

Team “Check-In”	Weekly face-to-face update and listen to what is going on personally for each team member wanting to share Plan for weekly work productivity Celebrate successes Collaboratively face challenges and opportunities
Practice safe boundary setting	Communicate needs and expectations to one another Establish patterns of productive communication for effective project management
Take a breath	When on task for 25 mins, 55 mins or 85 mins, take 5 minutes to honor yourself or regroup
Listen	Value every voice and opinion; it’s okay to be different or have a different perspective
Team building	Monthly Set aside an afternoon of personal time and personal cost while each person on the team takes a turn hosting/organizing the activity Get to know one another, see how people manage any given activity, what people are interested in, etc.
Get mindful	Wellness walks Meditation and breath Enjoy a meal together

 

I’m going to be honest, it’s refreshing to work for Key Instincts; a revolutionary HR firm that thrives on everyone having a seat at the table and values each voice, view, difference, and expertise. 

We can make a positive impact with ourselves, with our company, with our clients, and with our world—if we choose to be open.