Ponderings from 'Unlocking Us'

1. Justina spoke about the short period of time she lived alone, and how her home became a safe space to practice self-expression. This resonated with me as I now live alone 50% of the time and I have found myself wanting to put more and more of my own stamp on the space. Moreover, it’s got me thinking about how we can cultivate those “safe spaces” more in a work context. Has the move to flex work spaces etc actually diminished the space for self-expression (and therefore authenticity?) in the workplace? I’ve also been reflecting on the peek we’ve had in the past year into our colleague’s personal spaces via Zoom/Teams etc as many of us have been working from home. How many of us felt the need to “cover up” that self-expression, even in our own homes? Conversely, how many of us embraced the opportunity to show more of the real me through that tiny screen?
2. “Mixing is magic”. Oh how this simple quote made my heart sing! Justina was talking about patterns and textures and colors and all of the beautiful things which create an aesthetic. My goodness though… isn’t mixing the magic of life?! When we come together and mix thoughts, foods, music, stories, ideas… all of it… that’s where the magic happens. It’s where empathy and understanding start. It’s where innovation explodes. It’s where joy erupts. Mixing is magic… I’ll be taking this with me.
3.  Redesign the practical. This is about knowing what needs to be functional, and not intruding on that, but then making it beautiful and inspiring. This has got me thinking deeply about physical space but also, as an HR professional, about things like policy, annual processes, communication, and training. My first question is always – what problem are we trying to solve? That is, is it necessary? Then, how do we make it is as simple and practical as possible? I’m going to add another question to my arsenal though… how can we make it beautiful/elegant/inspiring? Just because something needs to be functional and practical, doesn’t mean is has to be mundane.

Listen to the episode of Unlocking Us with Brene Brown and Justina Blakeney