In a world where fitting in often feels like the ultimate goal, being the outsider can be tough. But what if I told you that your outsider status is a competitive advantage? 😲 This week’s blog and podcast is all about the complexities of workplace dynamics bumping into your authenticity, and how you can use your uniqueness to amplify your potential.
1. For much of my life, I have felt like an outsider in most situations. For a large part of my early life, the coping, or hiding, was done by being a big jock and party person. Part of this was due to the fact that I was hiding behind alcohol as a closed Gay man. Drinking allowed me to be part of “the group”. This group, at one point in my life, was the teachers and coaches I worked with; being Gay was NOT an option. Today, as basically a sober Gay male, I still find myself on the outside in many situations, but that is ok, too. I have learned that I have a lot to work with, and I am always in the process of finding “my tribe”. Little by little there are people I find that I can depend on.
2. My values of caring, being open, kind, and tolerant are part of my life working, not in a career, as I presently don’t have one. I am looking to include these values in my writing as I continue to grow in the writing world. Reflect these values in my stories.
3. In my last job, maybe I should have sought an outside perspective. Maybe I could have lasted a little longer, and it would have been easier to find other, more suitable work. Because I am also an active member of AA, I do ask my sponsor for his perspective on many situations, but that doesn’t mean I always follow that.
4. In the cases where I have rejected the “system” I have found myself without a job. What does that mean? Maybe there is something I still need to learn.
5. What is that ideal workplace? I don’t know if that exists. I would like to find a place where cooperative creative work and workers can be found. How do I get there? That is the big question, I believe I am making some steps in that direction. Putting myself in the places where the “tribe” meets is a start and I think this new return to school can help.
1. For much of my life, I have felt like an outsider in most situations. For a large part of my early life, the coping, or hiding, was done by being a big jock and party person. Part of this was due to the fact that I was hiding behind alcohol as a closed Gay man. Drinking allowed me to be part of “the group”. This group, at one point in my life, was the teachers and coaches I worked with; being Gay was NOT an option. Today, as basically a sober Gay male, I still find myself on the outside in many situations, but that is ok, too. I have learned that I have a lot to work with, and I am always in the process of finding “my tribe”. Little by little there are people I find that I can depend on.
2. My values of caring, being open, kind, and tolerant are part of my life working, not in a career, as I presently don’t have one. I am looking to include these values in my writing as I continue to grow in the writing world. Reflect these values in my stories.
3. In my last job, maybe I should have sought an outside perspective. Maybe I could have lasted a little longer, and it would have been easier to find other, more suitable work. Because I am also an active member of AA, I do ask my sponsor for his perspective on many situations, but that doesn’t mean I always follow that.
4. In the cases where I have rejected the “system” I have found myself without a job. What does that mean? Maybe there is something I still need to learn.
5. What is that ideal workplace? I don’t know if that exists. I would like to find a place where cooperative creative work and workers can be found. How do I get there? That is the big question, I believe I am making some steps in that direction. Putting myself in the places where the “tribe” meets is a start and I think this new return to school can help.