Should Work Be More Like Preschool?

When my oldest son was two years old, we started shopping around for a preschool. Here in San Francisco—like many cities, I imagine—getting into the preschool of your choice is not guaranteed. So, I created a spreadsheet, and then called and toured dozens of schools across the city. 

I remember calling one preschool and speaking with a lovely and helpful preschool director. She walked me through the usual details: When they opened, what their philosophy was, holidays, tuition, etc. Before we ended the call, though, she paused and said, “There is one other thing I want you to be aware of. We have all kinds of costumes here that we let the kids wear.” 

“That’s great!” I said, “I’m sure the kids enjoy it. But why are you telling me now?” 

She paused again, then replied, “Well, some parents don’t want their little boys trying on dresses. So I want to make sure you know that our school doesn’t stop that kind of play.”

The director went on to explain that the school encourages its students to explore, learn, and play without judgment, and dress-up is a part of that philosophy.

We didn’t end up choosing that preschool (for reasons that had nothing to do with dress-up), but the conversation stuck in my head for months afterward. I’m still impressed by the director who was so kind and honest with me, and by the school that was so transparent about its values and beliefs. 

I think that in a way, the best workplaces are a bit like the best preschools. They’re clear about where they stand and, ideally, they give their workers the opportunity to learn and grow without feeling judged.

I have been super lucky to work in many places like that in my career. I’ve also been a bit naive. It never occurred to me that company culture could function any other way, or that because I was an LGBTQ woman, I could be unheard and undervalued. Even before coming to The FruitGuys I think I was treated equally at work. I believed that if I did good work, new opportunities would arise. 

This turned out to be true for me, but I recognize that it’s not the case for many people, especially people of color and people who are trans or nonbinary. For those folks, workplaces that value diversity and encourage exploration are even more vital.

As we wrap up Women’s History Month, I want to give thanks to all of the trailblazing women and allies who have broken down those barriers, allowing people to be who they want to be at work. Thanks to them, our workplaces—including The FruitGuys—are becoming more and more like great preschools. There’s still work to do, but I hope we can keep moving in that direction.  

I also want to share a special thank you to our Guest Bananas—Sheila, Czareanah, and Steffy—for their contributions in March. It was exciting to highlight other FruitGuys voices and share their perspectives with you for Women’s History Month.

In gratitude, 

Your Chief Banana, 

Erin Mittelstaedt

CEO, The FruitGuys