Inclusion Happens When You Bring Your Authentic Self to Work [POLL]
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
I’ve been thinking about inclusion lately. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) defines inclusion “as the extent to which each person in an organization feels welcomed, respected, supported, and valued as a team member”. Inclusion can only exist if we feel comfortable being our authentic selves at work and if we accept others as their authentic selves.
But what I’ve been thinking about is how many people truly feel they can bring their authentic selves to work. Not just 10% of the time or even 65% of the time. But really bring it every day. In all your working relationships. I’m not suggesting that it’s easy. In this article from Harvard Business Review titled “How Much of Your Authentic Self Should You Really Bring to Work?”, they talk about it being a practice. Meaning that bringing out authentic selves at work isn’t just about others allowing it. It’s also about us being comfortable doing it.
So, I was wondering if you would answer a one question survey for me. Please note: this is a completely anonymous survey related to inclusion. No one – including me – can track responses.
Thank you in advance for answering this poll. Please feel free to share this with your social channels and point out that it’s anonymous. As always, I will post the results in a couple of weeks.
Organizations should be interested in the results of this poll. If they’re trying to hire people right now, those candidates will be looking for an employer where they can bring their authentic selves to work.
And if I’m an employee or candidate right now, this could be a moment of self-reflection. Can I honestly bring the real me to work? If I can, great! Inclusion may be able to happen! If I can’t…do I need to ask myself “Why not?”.
Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of New Orleans, LA
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