Small Shifts to Feel Different

Anyone else wrestling with the balance between staying informed about current events and protecting yourself from spiraling (and then perhaps feeling guilty about taking a break from paying attention . . .on repeat)? 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ While the global swirling and disruption definitely feels overwhelming, I can sometimes find a bit of comfort and purpose in focusing on what I can do at the micro, local level.

I just finished Jacinda Ardern’s memoir A Different Kind of Power. I was struck by her response to a question about her agenda upon becoming Prime Minister of New Zealand. Arden said “I want this government to feel different. I want people to feel that it’s open, that it’s listening, and that it’s going to bring kindness back.”  ← First of all, more of this please.

Second, although kindness alone will not dismantle systemic oppression, creating day-to-day work environments that ✨feel different✨ (e.g. open, listening, and grounded in respect) is something that is within reach. The way we make decisions and set expectations in our workplaces matters, and those small shifts accumulate into cultures that increase our collective capacity to tackle bigger, important, global things.

I’m genuinely interested: Where have you seen (or led) small shifts that made work feel different?