The Power of Feeling Truly Known at Work

How known do you feel by those you work with? How well do you truly know them??

The answers to these questions are likely indicative of your level of connection and engagement at work, as having a sense of being known is highly correlated with these other metrics.

But what is this even about and how do we do it well? Read on!

Why It's Important To Be Known

"Not the ones speaking the same language, but the ones sharing the same feeling understand each other." ~ Rumi

The measurable value to an organization for being known comes in the output for an employee. If you feel known, you're more emotionally connected with those around you, which therefore leads to increased engagement, connection, and innovation.

When you are known by others at work, you are more likely to be seen as a valuable member of the team. This can lead to more opportunities for collaboration, support, and advancement. It can also lead to increased job satisfaction and productivity.

Let me take a brief moment to describe what I mean when I say "known" in a workplace setting.

It means that people know, care, and ask you questions about you - your work, certainly, but also the things you care about. Family, faith, personal hobbies, and even things you are struggling with. Your relationship goes beyond the transactional things to be accomplished at work and more towards connecting as humans.?

Challenges to Feeling Known At Work

"We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behavior." ~ Stephen M.R. Covey

One of the largest barriers to feeling known at work is a fear of judgment.

I've had this personally, where I often believed that if people truly knew me, they wouldn't value me or want to work with me. So what did I do? Put on my smiling facadé and gave people what I thought they wanted.

In truth, I think this often held me back, and conversations with hundreds of others have validated this both from an employee side and from a leadership side.

So the responsibility for being known and knowing others is everyone's. The workplace needs to create a culture where it's okay to share struggles, challenges, and vulnerability, and each person needs to take responsibility to be more authentic rather than hiding many parts of themselves as well as being curious about others.

Lead With Vulnerability

"Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable. It means to show up and be seen. To ask for what you need. To talk about how you're feeling. To have hard conversations." ~ Brené Brown

The best way to increase connection and feel known by others is to lead with vulnerability.?

Consider this:

• You can't be known without being vulnerable!
• Being vulnerable is a risk, but one worth taking!
• It will be out of your comfort zone, but that's part of why you should do it anyway!

Don't expect others to lead you through this. If you want to be a leader, then lead out! Be vulnerable first!?

Being known isn't an easy process, but if you want to have a fun, successful, and fulfilling work life, it's extremely important!

Take Intentional Action

Consider one area you'd love to feel more known and seen at work. What do you feel like you need to share and be more open about?

Start with just one person who feels safe to share with, and share with them this week!

Accelerate Your Progress

I recently created a brand new tool called the Connection Code - it's a resource and assessment to help improve connection in the workplace. You'll want to try it out and start using it right away!

Grab it for fee here: https://www.jeff-perry.com/connection-code