Think about it. Each one of us continuously creates a professional narrative throughout our careers. That narrative neither starts nor stops, nor is it defined by, our job titles. Or our pay grades, levels of education, generations, or professional disciplines.
At least, our professional narrative should not live comfortably within the confines of categories.
Yet, of course, we become professionally comfortable with our heads stuck in professional sand. Holding on to how we learned to do things. To think about things, yesterday. And, consciously or unconsciously, holding on to professional biases and behaviors which marginalize, intimidate, and exclude “others.”
Are we capable of consciously becoming more open and receptive to choosing new ways of thinking and doing? So we better serve each other, first. And, in turn, better serve clients, together. To get to where everyone needs to go. One millimeter at a time.
For the past 11 years, I’ve been blogging, speaking, and conducting workshops about the impact of our professional narrative on not only our own career trajectory. But also, everyone else’s we touch, intentionally or not.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. What about yours?
Because we have diverse professional populations working within cultures which do not foster professional diversity. On the surface, all “looks” well; under the veneer things are far from healthy. How would you assess the professional cultures in your organization? In your department?
As you now work virtually, are you and your colleagues habituated to maintain existing professional behaviors and biases? Or, do you find that liberating yourselves from physical environments catalyzes you to find a more inclusive professional voice, mindset, and perspective?
While some folks are extremely comfortable continuing to tell themselves Yesterday’s professional narrative, how relevant and valuable is your own professional narrative? Because the professional story you tell, is yours and yours alone to create and tell.
What’s your story: professionally inclusive or exclusive? Your choice. It’s time to decide which story you intend to stick to, and follow through on, and live and breathe. Moving forward. One millimeter at a time. Together.
- Planning your next team, corporate or association meeting? Engage me to present one of my One Millimeter Mindset ™ speaking programs, workshops or mastermind groups. Delivered virtually or in-person. Contact me here.
My One Millimeter Mindset™ virtual and in-person keynotes, workshops, coaching and mastermind programs translate across strategic communication and collaboration disconnects between people and professional disciplines. Build trust. Retain employees and clients. Optimize strategic business and human capital value in your organizations. Get everyone to where they need to go. Together. One millimeter at a time. My playbook of communication tools and methods, Do YOU Mean Business? is available on Amazon.com.
Image source: Adobe Stock.
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