The art of empowerment: How knowing your place can change everything
In our rubrics “office without drama” we speak about strategies and tools for creating a safe and productive work environment. As such, we delve into challenges of finding one’s purpose; we show how judgment can strips a sense of belonging; we reveal how need for control can cloud judgment and become a barrier to true authenticity; how influence other people by allowing freedom to emerge; we stress the importance of breaking free from stereotypes and how not being confined by societal expectations; we encourage individuals to embrace their individuality and live according to their own principles and so on.
In this article we are highlighting the impact of self-awareness on personal growth and the growth of others.
If you attentively look at your colleagues, you will be able to place them into three following categories: (1) those who take all the place, (2) those who found /established their place and (3) those who are yet to find their place in life. It is important to distinguish between these categories of co-workers, though they are not fixed and can change as people grow and evolve. Knowing the typology will help you choose the right tools to manage relationships with your colleagues.
Let’s get STARTED.
WHO HAVE YET TO FIND THEIR PLACE
They struggle to connect with others or even identify themselves in the world around them. They are the ones who are lost amidst the chaos, completely lacking in vision and principles. They are prisoners to the inner voice that constantly judges and criticizes them, leaving them in a state of despair and hopelessness. These people are skilled in suffering, and they tend to communicate their misery to people around them. In essence, their formula for survival involves finding a harbour at someone else’s expense.
When you cross paths with these individuals, you can’t help but notice how they communicate their inadequacies through both their words and body language. They are consumed by their inner turmoil, and it becomes evident in their disposition and the way they present themselves to the world.
WHO TAKE ALL THE PLACE
These are the people who come alive the moment they attain power and control. There’s some common sense buried in their system, but that’s all they listen to. They appear genuine, but it’s a mere facade that they use to manage others. They believe they know everything, but the reality is that they need to take a lesson in managing themselves first.
When solving any problem, they tunnel deep into the issue, often losing sight of the bigger picture. They don’t offer solutions, but rather instructions, suffocating those around them with their unwelcome guidance. It’s as though they want people to live the way they do and think the same thoughts as them.
WHO KNOW THEIR PLACE
These individuals have evolved from the previous two stages and have grown into their rich personalities. They possess the unique ability to listen to their hearts and voice its answers. They influence people by allowing freedom to emerge and becoming more of themselves. At first they will seem preaching, in fact they do their homework – they work on themselves and strive for aligning their thoughts, words and actions.
When these people make decisions, they do so by considering both the circumstances and consequences. They leave people under the impression that everything is possible, and that’s because they genuinely believe it. They make use of space in the world, but they don’t take it all. Rather, they create it and share it, allowing others to grow alongside them.
May we all strive to become like them, knowing our place, evolving into our best selves and enabling others to do the same.