Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1410635
#HERSTORY | 26 Professor, speaker and author Brené Brown talks frequently about the importance of bringing your whole self to any situation. One facet of that is the ability to be vulnerable and allow for emotional exposure, risk and uncertainty. Many believe that bringing your whole self to work also allows you to expand the impact, influence and success of your work and your life … while helping others do the same. Thinking about this, what is your best tip for bringing your whole self to work, especially when it may often feel like our "true selves" are more exposed than ever while working from home? Sharing past and current personal and professional experiences allows us to show empathy and connect with others on a deeper level. In my opinion, bringing your whole self to work is about being proud of who you are and appreciating the unique experiences, strengths and differences we all bring. It's a reminder that we are all human, and during tough times especially, we can (and should) be open and empathetic to one another and acknowledge any challenges we're facing. Of course, there's a fine line between bringing your whole self to work and oversharing. None of us wants to be that person who shares things that makes others uncomfortable, but I think a lot of it comes down to self-awareness and knowing your audience. We asked Krista Deguffroy, Director of Inclusion and Compliance, Workforce Development, to weigh in. Krista said: "In a continued remote environment, we crave connection and may find ourselves telling more details about our lives than we would if in person. Ask yourself, what am I hoping the other person takes away from our conversation? Sometimes, what may feel like oversharing in the moment can ultimately build deeper connections and bridge gaps in our interpersonal relationships. By taking the risk and giving yourself permission to be authentically human (imperfections included), you may have found the key to connection in an otherwise remote environment." Finally, bringing our whole selves successfully can't happen until we've formed honest, trusting relationships that go both ways. However, often it takes bringing our whole selves and being willing to be vulnerable to create those very honest relationships we are seeking. BRINGING YOUR WHOLE SELF TO WORK in a remote environment one By taking the risk and giving yourself permission to be authentically human (imperfections included), you may have found the key to connection in an otherwise remote environment. Krista Deguffroy, Director of Inclusion and Compliance, Workforce Development " "