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DIPR (DEEPER) THOUGHTS
With an organic writing approach, I bring intuition, addressing workplace concerns & matters that affect me D.eeply
We’ve all heard of “silent killers,” right?
Let me give you a couple of examples: 1. In the medical world, some undetected illnesses can become silent killers. For instance, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and so on. 2. Carbon monoxide is also considered a silent killer because it’s colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating. Although this discussion won’t delve into the issues described above, I wanted to use those examples as a reference. With that said, can you think of some silent killers in the workplace? One significant one is remaining SILENT. You might not initially consider being silent in the workplace, keeping your head down, and just doing your job as a disadvantage. However, in two separate instances, these experiences became part of my story, still needing much healing. I realized that merely doing your job isn’t always enough, especially when there’s an underlying issue such as unconscious racial bias from your supervisor or boss. You might get hired for being a diversity hire or for your connections and skills, but if the workplace culture isn’t inclusive, it creates challenges. For example, in 2021, I was given a role as the Creative Operations for a Chicago studio, which seemed tailored for me. However, when I asked questions about compensation for additional tasks like social media management, my boss became defensive and eventually removed me from the office. Let’s rewind a bit—I found myself staying quiet in meetings where there was a sense of disconnection, with everyone focused on individual tasks rather than collaborating. Feeling excluded and misunderstood, I retreated into silence as a response to not feeling heard or valued. However, when I did start speaking up in regards to racial concerns, I faced retaliation, after being pushed out. I’ll always remember that meeting where my boss and another white colleague were present; my boss labeled me as negative and reduced me to tears. The workplace culture he fostered lacked inclusivity in the office, making me feel guilty for opting for silence to maintain harmony and focus on my job. Another instance occurred while working in South Korea, where questioning anything in the workplace was met with resistance, leading me to become silent once again. Despite my professionalism, it wasn’t enough, and I was deemed “not a good fit.” Finding the balance between advocating for oneself and maintaining professionalism is challenging. Choosing silence shouldn’t be seen as negative or unapproachable but rather as a signal for deeper issues that require evaluation and conversation. In the workplace, active transparency and accountability are essential, and employees shouldn’t be punished for their bosses’ insecurities or lack of transparency. I've taught tons of students, so as a dance educator, I understand the importance of acknowledging every student, even those who remain silent. Their silence may stem from insecurities, which should be addressed with empathy rather than punishment. I do whatever I can to help students feel seen and also feel an ounce of joy, before they leave. Teaching has always been close to my heart because impacting someone’s life is important to me. Isn't there a cause behind our pain and depressive episodes? If team members fall silent or friends don’t respond to texts, there’s usually a reason behind it. In the workplace, SILENCE should be met with curiosity and empathy, not mislabeling or punishment. ~deeply
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April 2024
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