Navigating Necessary Conversations - When Life Collides With Work

We live in a time where separating life and work is impossible.  What happens outside of the workplace impacts how we show up in our roles. Especially when it comes to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Tamara Page, Head of BP’s Western Hemisphere Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, joins me to discuss the power of speaking up and creating space for vulnerable conversations.  In this week's episode, we discuss the leaders' role in: Knowers vs. learners. In knowing work cultures, leaders are expected to be experts in their field and act as if they have all the answers. Learning cultures encourage collaboration, inspiring people to gain insight from each other’s different backgrounds, experiences, and lenses in which they see the world.Everything is integrated. The different aspects of our lives do not exist in silos; rather, they affect each other. Personal bleeds into professional, and vice versa. It’s imperative that leaders get to know their employees as people so they can recognize what events may pull them in different directions.Suspending beliefs. In listening to people, suspending your own beliefs prevents you from being resistant to learning what you didn’t know before. If it challenges what you know, take it as a new perspective to consider.Safe spaces. Leaders should take the time to check in with their team, creating psychologically safe spaces, whether physical or virtual, for them to be vulnerable and talk about their personal struggles.ResourcesTamara Page on LinkedIn