Give up the gimmicks.

Let’s start off on the right foot

The skinny 

Do your people feel they can be their authentic selves at work? 

♥ 

Everything wins everything.

Last Sunday, phenomenal picture Everything Everywhere All at Once swept the Oscars, winning seven of eleven nominations. Leading a film rife with metaphors about motherhood, life’s meaning, and the multiverse, Michelle Yeoh won best actress. She and her co-star, Ke Huy Quan, were the first and second Asian winners in their respective categories.  

Root for the underdog.

While diversity and inclusivity were honored on the silver screen this year, cinema fans are relieved that originality won, too, rather than another blockbuster franchise flick. See, in both Hollywood and the workplace, authenticity resonates.

Give up the gimmicks.

Being yourself at work is no longer a perk but a priority, improving employee performance, retention, and satisfaction. Inclusivity starts with embracing authenticity. We’re social creatures, and humans connect best when they don’t feel the need to fit in a box.  

Matching jerseys.

Camaraderie can be hard to cultivate, especially in the virtual workplace. Shared experiences prove to colleagues that they’re on the same team. And for you managers, understanding your people’s true motivations, through genuine conversations, is the key to coaching peak performance.

I'm the problem, it's me.

Leaders looking to build inclusivity and trust need to let go of their reputation. Never showing a weakness, well, that’s a weakness. It’s okay to admit your flaws. We’re all works-in-progress, after all. Plus, this sets an example for teammates to do the same.

Wait, there's more.

Let’s admit, some people generally feel more psychologically safe than others. For underrepresented groups, like Black and female professionals, employee resource groups can provide mentorship, trust, and a safe space to be themselves. This support is critical to succeeding in their positions and moving up in their careers.