Being Vulnerable
As a woman, we are told not to show our emotions at workplace, what will be your advice as women leader for us. This was a question asked by a young women professional, when I was sharing my career journey with a group of mid-career women in an org.
I was first taken aback with the question, and it was my biggest realization that moment many people associate being emotional and vulnerable with women at large. It never occur to me before. I have two men at home, my son and my husband both very expressive.
My reply was let’s be ourselves and any day you feel like showing your emotions… do not hesitate. Let's get inspired by cricket legends; Rahul Dravid who showed emotions post T20 world cup victory, Hardik Pandya who cried/smiled and my favourite cricketer Virat Kohli who wears emotions on the sleeve all the time.
In the crusade to be part of workforce, there are many biases which a woman needs to fight with, being vulnerable is one of them.
I invite you to be an ally for women colleagues, and the first step towards that would be the act on these small nuances and biases.
We need diversity, and GENDER being important one to bring different perspective and drive higher business/economic impact... so, let’s not force women to act like men… or other way around. Each one is unique in their own ways and being emotional is showing up your true self and it’s an act of courage.
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Thank you for sharing your journey towards greater awareness of biases. It's inspiring to see such important discussions taking place. What strategies have you found most effective in continuing this journey?
Certified Executive Coach (CEC/ACC) | Equipping Leaders, Teams, and Business to Thrive | Founder & CEO | Keynote Speaker | Host of The Working Well Podcast
5 个月Emotion is natural and part of what makes us amazing, nuanced, and complex humans. Asking people what their definition of emotion is and how they feel it should show up in the workplace can help us understand the perspective, biases, and experiences a person is bringing to the table. Perspectives are definitely changing, and with so many generations in the workforce right now, I feel these conversations are more important than ever.
Technical Sales Leader - IBM Storage, Asia pacific at IBM
5 个月Very well written Geeta. As women, we are not only told not to show our emotions at workplace but also when we show emotions outside or at workplace, its looked as weakness & not being able to control our emotions. On the other hand, it actually takes courage to show emotions & be your true self !
Strategic & Visionary IT Leader | Business Continuity | Driving Innovation & Digital Transformation
5 个月Well said Geeta, thanks for sharing!
Human Resources | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Employee Engagement I Policies and Programs I Training I Talent & Leadership Development I Mentor I HRAI 23 DEI leaders of 2023. (Views are my own)
5 个月What a powerful reflection Geeta Gurnani It's fascinating how societal norms shape our perceptions of emotions in the workplace. When someone expresses emotions, they not only break stereotypes but also pave the way for a more inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered to be their true selves. How safe it would be where emotional intelligence is recognized as a key leadership quality and is a must have.