Baggage, Bias, and Bullsh*t: The Time Suck of Psychological Safety

“Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard.”

Listen to the podcast episode here.

You are biased…admit it.

In fact, we all bring our own baggage, bias, and bullsh*t into any space we inhabit. But when it comes to the workspace, there should be a self-imposed filter for the biases and baggage before you walk through the office door.

I am the first to admit that in my early years of leadership I ignored the snide comments about hair, clothing or facial disposition because I wanted to play nice. My goal was focused on doing my best and climbing the ladder. There was no room for my “full self” because I often considered others people’s feelings towards me and my style of leadership.

It was a common practice for me to minimize my concerns and figure out ways to try and “fit in.” The work itself is hard enough. It’s even harder when you have to spend time combating or dodging negative perceptions and comments related to factors that have nothing to do with your expertise or productivity.

Those factors are the demographical or cultural intersections that are a part of who you are — race, gender, sexual orientation, hair style, etc. Instead of spending most of your time on developing your professional prowess, you have to focus on strategies to circumnavigate the microaggressions, gaslighting, and other inhibitors to your psychological safety.

Psychological safety is the belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes.

Essentially, a psychologically safe environment should be a space where you are comfortable showing up as your authentic self — no matter the hairstyle, facial expression, way of speaking, family dynamic or other demographical intersections.

And there is a huge push to make a shift in work environments to be more inclusive; hence the rise in Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging efforts. But for disproportionately impacted groups, it can be a major time suck to try and thwart the endless attacks on your authentic self.

If you want to take charge of your own wellbeing, you have to build your own tool bag. Yes, your job should establish practices, but not everyone gets it right. And if you’re in a situation where you can’t get out, you need to figure out how best to make it work until you can move it along.

This week’s podcast episode goes into detail on the specific challenges with time, as it relates to fighting for psychological safety.

Learn about five key components for your tool bag, and how they can be a saving grace for your productivity and peace of mind.

If you are ready to…

Set clear boundaries

Use adaptive coping strategies

Trust your instincts

Guard your mental space

Secure a support network…

Don’t miss the first episode in season four of The Time Tutor podcast.

Want to learn more about how I help emerging servant leaders reimagine time management at the intersection of spirit, well being, and productivity? Schedule your 15-minute chat with me.