Katie Christensen’s Post

Strength in Vulnerability: Rethinking Corporate Culture. In the fast-paced world of corporate life, there’s often an unspoken belief that being soft or vulnerable equates to weakness. Many perceive strength as assertiveness, a relentless drive for results, and a tough exterior. But what if we redefine strength? Being soft doesn’t mean lacking ambition; it means embracing empathy, fostering collaboration, and building genuine connections. It’s about having the courage to be vulnerable, to listen, and to support others. Why Does This Matter? Empathy Drives Innovation: Teams that feel safe to express ideas and emotions are more innovative and engaged. Collaboration Over Competition: A culture that values kindness fosters collaboration, leading to better outcomes for everyone. Resilience through Support: In tough times, it’s the support of our colleagues that helps us bounce back and thrive. Let’s challenge the notion that softness is a crime in the corporate world. Instead, let’s cultivate environments where emotional intelligence and authentic connections are seen as strengths. 💬 How do you see the balance between strength and vulnerability in your workplace? Let’s start a conversation! #Leadership #CorporateCulture #Empathy #EmotionalIntelligence #WorkplaceWellness

📲I was on phone with a friend from school this evening trying to lend my ear about what she feels at the moment at work. We discussed the following with each other and helped each other. I decided to take it to the social platform thinking it could also benefit/help some one out there! 🙌🏻Let’s talk about very sensitive topic that all of us at one time would have experienced/experiencing in our life, say it be work or in the family. It’s about F.A.V.O.R.I.T.I.S.M⚡️ 🚫 Overcoming Favoritism at Work: A Path to Fairness and Growth 🚫 Favoritism can be a subtle yet pervasive challenge in any workplace. When certain individuals receive preferential treatment, it not only creates tension but also undermines team morale, productivity, and trust. But here's the good news: you can navigate and overcome it. 🔑 1. Focus on Your Own Performance Rather than getting caught up in comparisons, concentrate on delivering consistent, high-quality work. Let your results speak for themselves, and position yourself as a reliable and valuable team member. 🔑 2. Build Strong Relationships with Your Team Strengthening bonds with colleagues can help create an atmosphere of trust and collaboration. When you have allies who respect your contributions, it’s easier to maintain your sense of worth despite any external biases. 🔑 3. Seek Constructive Feedback Requesting feedback from managers or mentors can help you understand where you stand and how you can improve. If you're feeling overlooked, a direct yet professional conversation about your career goals and performance might uncover opportunities for growth. 🔑 4. Advocate for Transparency If favoritism is affecting the team or your growth, consider discussing it with HR or a trusted leader. Advocate for transparent performance evaluations and opportunities that everyone can access based on merit. 🔑 5. Focus on Personal Growth Take control of your career by investing in continuous learning, networking, and skill development. The more you develop yourself, the less you’ll feel hindered by external factors. While favoritism can be difficult, maintaining professionalism, focusing on personal growth, and advocating for fairness can help you navigate this challenge and thrive in your career. Let’s work toward more inclusive, equitable environments where everyone’s contributions are valued! 🌟 #CareerGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #FairnessAtWork #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment

🎨 Are you painting your workplace with the same dull colors of fear and conformity? 🌟 What if you could unleash a vibrant palette of courage that ignites innovation and drives success? Think of it like this: Courage isn't a single shade, it's a masterpiece created by blending three primary colors: 🎨 TRY Courage: The boldness to take initiative and experiment with new ideas. 🎨 TRUST Courage: The confidence to rely on others and foster collaboration. 🎨 TELL Courage: The honesty to speak up and share your insights, even when it's difficult. By combining these colors in different proportions, you can create a vibrant spectrum of courage to tackle any challenge. HERE'S WHY MASTERING THESE THREE BUCKETS MATTERS: 1️⃣ It provides a structured approach to developing courage across your organization  2️⃣ It helps identify and address specific areas where bravery is lacking 3️⃣ It fosters a more innovative, collaborative, and transparent work environment Ready to paint a brighter future for your workplace? HERE ARE 3 WAYS TO START TODAY: 💡  Create an "innovation hour" where team members pitch and test new ideas. Example: Weekly sessions to propose and quickly prototype fresh concepts. 🤝 Implement a peer mentoring program pairing team members with different strengths. Example: Encourage mentors to delegate meaningful tasks to mentees. 🗣️ Establish regular "honest hour" sessions for candid feedback. Example: Start with anonymous written feedback, gradually moving to face-to-face sessions. The Three Buckets of Courage is just the beginning. Check out the companion Idea Express article, ‘The 3 Buckets of Workplace Courage,’ to discover two more key concepts that could revolutionize your approach to fostering a courageous workplace culture.  👉 https://lnkd.in/eJQYJeeg Are you ready to start painting with all the colors of courage? #WorkplaceCourage #LeadershipDevelopment #OrganizationalCulture #ProfessionalGrowth

🔥 Did you know? A staggering 70% of people admit to feeling insecure at work! 😱 Ever notice how some folks act like they're reluctant to praise or acknowledge others? It’s not because they’re stingy—it’s insecurity. They hoard information, refuse to delegate, gossip, and sometimes even spread rumours.🤫 These actions might seem like they’re protecting their position, but in reality, they’re just self-sabotaging. 🕳️ By not sharing that crucial piece of info or refusing to collaborate, you’re not just stalling your colleague's progress, but your own too. 🚧 What if, instead, we: Delegate tasks and trust our teammates 👫 Cheer for others’ achievements 🎉 Offer a helping hand when needed 🤝 Celebrate wins together 🍾 This simple shift in mindset can transform not just your workplace relationships but also your personal growth. Think of it as a boomerang—what you put out there comes right back to you. 🌈 And for those who are on the receiving end of workplace insecurity: Focus on upskilling and continuously improving your abilities 📈 Stay committed to your work and your goals 💪🏽 Don’t be bothered by the insecure lot—your dedication and expertise will shine through 🌟 Remember, your position is created by your focus and commitment, not by others' insecurities 🔑 Let’s make our workplaces havens of trust, collaboration, and mutual growth. Because, hey, a sense of security is liberating! 🚀 Do you agree? Type in YES in the comment section below if you’re with me. And TAG someone who you think needs to hear this. #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #TeamSpirit #GrowthMindset #TrustAndDelegate

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽: 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 In the workplace, we’re often encouraged to be independent and self-reliant. However, there are times when accepting help from a colleague can make all the difference. It’s not about weakness or inability; rather, it’s about maximizing strengths, gaining new perspectives, and creating a culture where knowledge flows freely. Yet, I’ve noticed that some people find it hard to accept help. Why? A few reasons come to mind: 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁: Many worry that asking for help signals they’re not capable, but in reality, it often shows courage and a commitment to quality. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆: Some prefer to tackle things on their own, believing they’ll reach better solutions independently, which is valid—until they reach a bottleneck that could be resolved more efficiently with support. 𝗘𝗴𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲: It’s natural to want to own our accomplishments, but sometimes, our best work comes from shared effort and acknowledging others’ contributions. Accepting help fosters collaboration, builds trust, and often leads to better results. It reminds us that we don’t always have to go it alone to succeed. The workplace is a team environment, and recognizing when someone’s expertise could save time or add value doesn’t diminish our achievements. In fact, it enhances them. #Leadership #Collaboration #Teamwork #WorkCulture #GrowthMindset #ProfessionalDevelopment #SuccessThroughSupport #BusinessInsights #WorkplaceWellness #ContinuousImprovement #Communication #PersonalGrowth #WorkplaceCulture

🌟 Embracing Vulnerability in Professional Life 🌟 In a world where the pursuit of success often paints a picture of constant strength and infallibility, it’s important to remember: It’s okay not to be okay. As professionals, we strive to meet high standards and expectations, driving ourselves toward perfection. But being okay with not being okay sometimes is not only human—it's essential. Acknowledging our struggles can lead to greater resilience and a more supportive workplace culture. Here’s why embracing this reality can be transformative: Promotes Authenticity: Being honest about how we feel reduces the pressure to appear perfect all the time, fostering a more authentic work environment. Encourages Support: When we express vulnerability, it opens the door for support from colleagues and supervisors, enhancing teamwork and camaraderie. Drives Innovation: Creativity often stems from confronting our limitations and challenges, leading to innovative solutions and breakthroughs. Builds Resilience: Facing and sharing our challenges without fear of judgment strengthens our ability to cope in future situations. So, let's remind each other that it's perfectly normal to have ups and downs. By supporting one another through our not-so-okay days, we build stronger, more compassionate teams capable of great achievements. #MentalHealthAwareness #WorkplaceWellness #Leadership #Resilience

🌟 Embracing the Power of Vulnerability in the Workplace 🌟 As professionals, we often strive to project an image of strength, competence, and confidence. We believe that vulnerability is a sign of weakness, something to be hidden and avoided at all costs. But what if I told you that vulnerability can actually be a powerful asset in the workplace? Yes, you heard me right! Vulnerability, when embraced, has the potential to elevate our relationships, improve our performance, and foster a culture of trust and innovation. 🔑 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Authenticity breeds trust: In today's hyper-connected world, people are seeking genuine connections. By allowing yourself to be vulnerable, you show others that you are real, relatable, and trustworthy. It's about being honest with yourself and expressing your true thoughts and emotions, even when it feels uncomfortable. 2️⃣ Growth through feedback: Constructive feedback is vital for personal and professional growth. But how can we expect others to provide honest feedback if we are not open to receiving it? Embracing vulnerability means recognizing that we have areas for improvement and actively seeking feedback to learn and develop. It takes courage to ask for feedback, but it is the path to growth. 3️⃣ Overcoming fear of failure: Fear of failure often holds us back from taking risks and pursuing innovative ideas. However, vulnerability allows us to reframe failure as a learning opportunity, as a stepping stone towards success. When we acknowledge our vulnerabilities and confront our fears, we create an environment where creativity and innovation can flourish. 4️⃣ Building authentic connections: Vulnerability opens up doors for genuine connections. By sharing our struggles and challenges, we create empathy and understanding among our colleagues. It humanizes the workplace, making it a space where people can bring their whole selves and truly connect with one another. These connections lay the foundation for collaboration, teamwork, and collective success. 🌟 Remember, vulnerability is not about airing your dirty laundry or oversharing personal details at work. It's about showing up as your authentic self, being open to feedback, and embracing the uncertainty that comes with stepping outside your comfort zone. Vulnerability is a courageous act that fuels personal and professional growth, fosters trust, and drives innovation. So, let's embrace our vulnerabilities and create a workplace where authenticity and success go hand in hand! 🌟 #VulnerabilityInWorkplace #AuthenticityMatters #GrowthMindset #CreatingConnections

F E A R . It's one nasty mutha. A powerful discussion with peers last night revealed, that yes...even in the year 2024...we still don't have control of our fears. And in the workplace, they're straight killin' us. 'Cause we're: * Hoarding info for ourselves (or our teams) when the entire organization could benefit if we shared it. * Expecting others to trust us, but we don't trust them. * Speaking in meetings or sending emails when we have nothing to say, nothing to add, but simply so we'll be seen / heard. * Actively sabotaging co-workers / other departments by gossiping about them behind their backs, to drum up and circulate negative opinions about them. And MANY of these behaviors are coming, not from co-workers, rather from MANAGERS. BOSSES. "LEADERS." It's all a result of F E A R. "What if they find out that I'm not that smart?" "What if I don't get the promotion?" "What if I get downsized?" What if instead, we: * Offered to help * Rooted for each other * Celebrated each others small wins and big victories I know that goes against the habits and modeling we've all grown up with, but in which environment would you rather perform? Which one feels confident, not fearful? Which workplace would allow you to bring your best ideas, your most enthusiastic self to the game, every single day? We CAN make the (working) world better. If you'd like to be a part of that but you're not sure where to start. I'm here to support you. 😊 DM me right now. (Seriously...now is good). P.S., Thanks to Mikel Chertudi for the culture quote graphic!

You will probably be able to recall working with colleagues or team members who were actively disruptive. You know, those people who could start an argument in an empty room. Or those who strive to ensure their voice is the only one that’s heard. Or the team member who is negative about everything—from the temperature of their coffee in the mornings to the new ideas the team come up with; those whose very presence saps all the energy from the room. People are not born problematic. When people display negative and unhelpful behaviours, we should stop asking, “What is wrong with you?” and start asking, “What happened to you?” People aren’t naturally or perpetually problematic. There is always a reason, but certain behaviours and approaches have the power to block a team’s flow and dilute its effectiveness. People who display disruptive and negative behaviours will have strengths and good points that the team could absolutely use—they just need a good leader to bring these abilities to the fore rather than allowing the individuals to slip into their combative ‘default’ personas. Invest time in getting to know and understand your people. How can you bring the best out of each team member? Learn each individual's motivations and think of ways in which you can support and encourage their personal motivations to enable them to make the most of their strengths and talents. Focus on what they can contribute to the team. Grounded in evidenced neuroscience and psychology, the Jigsaw Discovery Tool brings such understanding to leaders and managers. It helps them to see individuals as sentients and not as programmable entities that can only follow one course of action. Every single person has an almost unlimited number of facets, and no one individual is the same as the next…… no two brains are the same. If you would like to find out more about becoming part of our global community that empowers individuals and teams to maximise their potential through developing higher levels of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, follow Jigsaw Discovery or visit https://lnkd.in/dEyGMZa #teamperformance #performanceimprovement #selfawareness #strengths #jigsawdiscoverytool