Parts Work 1 - What role do emotions play at work?

What is Parts work?

Let's delve into the concept of Parts work—a dynamic approach to understanding the intricacies of our inner selves.

The gist is that inside each of us, there's this whole cast of characters.

Each part may have its own beliefs, emotions, memories, and motivations influencing the roles we play at home and work.

The underlying premise is that as individuals we have various internal "parts" or sub-personalities that influence our thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and perceptions.

These parts represent different aspects of your personality, such as the inner child, the critical parent, the wounded self, or the confident self.?

Why is this important?

Everyone has ‘parts’ or ‘facets’ of self each vying for attention and influence.

If you have ever felt torn between conflicting emotions or struggled to maintain balance, especially in high-pressure situations.

That's your parts asking for 'airtime' and too often these unconscious emotions are contributing to our conflicting feelings or struggles.

Parts work involves identifying, understanding, and working with these parts in a way that promotes healing, integration, and harmony.

Working with these emotional parts also helps us to identify ego states.

This is helpful when understanding the roles, functions, and interpersonal relationships we form both at work and in our personal lives which is relevant, particularly in the professional arena.

Understanding and engaging with our internal parts can also be transformative for communication and engagement.

We learn to recognise and honour the diverse aspects of ourselves, fostering better integration and harmony with others.

This approach isn't just theoretical—it's practical and empowering.

By identifying the roles we play both at work and in our personal lives, we gain insight into our patterns of behaviour and the opportunities for development as people leaders.

Without time or space

When we are triggered by an experience, negative cognitions and behaviours stored in our neural networks start to respond, based on previous experiences and it is these emotions that we often take action on first.

However, it's important to acknowledge that trauma knows no bounds—it transcends time and space, leaving an indelible mark on our psyche.

Yet, through Parts work, we can navigate these wounds with resilience and compassion, reclaiming our narrative and rewriting our script for success.

Let's consider two examples of how parts may manifest in a work environment;?

Meet Maya

A Black woman working in a corporate environment. In this example, Maya experiences different parts of herself taking "airtime" at work, each influenced by her intersectional identity as a Black woman.?

Maya has a part within her that is confident, competent, and ambitious. This confident part takes the lead when Maya is working on projects, speaking up in meetings, and advocating for herself and her ideas.?

Despite facing systemic barriers and biases, Maya's confident part helps her navigate challenges with resilience and determination. However, Maya also carries a part within her that is wary and vigilant—the protector.?

This part emerges when Maya encounters microaggressions, discrimination or rejection.

The protector may respond by heightening Maya's awareness of potential threats to her professional advancement, prompting her to be cautious in her interactions with colleagues and supervisors.

In addition to her protector part, Maya has a part within her that is tired and weary— The survivor.?

This part reflects Maya's experiences of racial and gender bias, including the emotional labour of constantly navigating these stereotypes in the workplace.?

The survivor part may manifest as fatigue, frustration, or burnout, as Maya grapples with the cumulative effects of systemic inequality and injustice.

But, despite these challenges, Maya also has a resilient and empowered part within her. This part embodies Maya's determination to challenge stereotypes, break barriers, and pave the way for future generations of Black women in her industry.

This part inspires Maya to advocate for others and use her platform to amplify marginalised voices and to be a trailblazer!

During moments of success or recognition, yet another part may emerge for Maya—The celebrator.

This part celebrates Maya's achievements, acknowledging her talent, hard work, and resilience in the face of adversity.

The celebrator part reinforces Maya's sense of worthiness and belonging, counteracting the internalised messages of inferiority or unworthiness that society may perpetuate.

By recognising and honouring these parts, Maya can cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and empowerment, ultimately thriving in her professional pursuits despite the systemic challenges she may face.

Meet Sarah

A Neurodiverse project manager, who excels in her role despite facing unique challenges.

In this example, Sarah experiences different parts of herself taking "airtime" at work, each influenced by her neurodiversity.?

Sarah has a part within her that is deeply passionate and focused—The specialist.

This specialist part thrives when Sarah is immersed in her work, leveraging her keen attention to detail, analytical skills, and unique perspective to excel in complex projects and problem-solving tasks.

However, Sarah also carries a part within her that is sensitive and overwhelmed—the sensory processor.

This part emerges when Sarah is bombarded by sensory stimuli in the workplace, such as fluorescent lighting, background noise, or crowded spaces.?

The sensory processor may struggle to filter out extraneous sensory input, leading Sarah to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or distracted in certain environments.

In addition to her sensory processor part, Sarah has a part within her that is innovative and divergent—The creative thinker.

This part reflects Sarah's ability to think outside the box, generate unconventional ideas, and approach challenges from multiple perspectives.?

The creative thinker part may flourish in brainstorming sessions or collaborative projects, where Sarah's neurodiversity provides a valuable asset to her team.

Despite these challenges, Sarah also has a determined and resilient part within her—The advocate.?

This part embodies Sarah's commitment to advocating for accommodations, support, and understanding in the workplace.?

The advocate part empowers Sarah to communicate her needs effectively, educate her colleagues and supervisors, and challenge stereotypes and stigmas surrounding neurodivergent individuals in professional settings.

During moments of success or recognition, yet another part may emerge for Sarah—the Achiever.?

This part celebrates Sarah's accomplishments, acknowledging her unique strengths, contributions, and achievements despite the barriers she may face.

The achiever part reinforces Sarah's sense of self-worth and validation, counteracting any internalised doubts or insecurities she may experience.

By recognising and embracing these parts, Sarah can harness her strengths, navigate her challenges, and thrive in her professional endeavours, contributing valuable perspectives and innovations to her workplace.

If either Maya or Sarah resonates with you, and you would like to learn more about how to recognise and understand parts, cultivate compassion or develop strategies to balance competing demands to achieve greater harmony and effectiveness at work. Connect here

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