Are you inked?
Do you use an ATM?
Are you a cisgender woman who drives faster than 50 MPH?
Do you eat tomatoes?
In the 1970s, when ATMs became common, people were reluctant to use them. “Get my money on a street corner? I’ll get robbed!”
Weird but true. Or, just shockingly misogynistic, in the 19th century, “experts” believed that a woman’s uterus would “fly out of her body” if they were in a train going over 50 MPH.
Until the 1800s, tomatoes were considered poisonous by many.
Today’s surprising change is tattoos. Once a workplace, cultural taboo, and even “dangerous,” tattoos are now allowed and even embraced. After UPS changed its tattoo policy Christopher Bartlett, UPS vice president of people and culture, noted that proud drivers would display their UPS tattoos on internal message boards.
Leaders must learn to anticipate changing environments, whether business or the evolving forms of identity, expression and social and cultural norms. Things once considered detrimental and forbidden in the workplace are now standard. Even if it goes against “the way you were raised,” opening up to change may be a sea change event for your business. Does bringing your authentic self to work drive retention and productivity? SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) says yes*.
When workers feel safe and able to express themselves, they ask tough and challenging questions. Those questions come from their experience, intellect, and genuine care about a business. When you
As a leader, do you create a culture of trust and transparency? Does your team feel empowered to “do the needful?” Go out and problem solve even when challenging and could be seen as stepping out of line? That authenticity extends to you as well. What are you bringing to the table? Do you acknowledge gaps in your knowledge? Share personal events “My kid is in the state finals for…,” “I’m taking time to grieve the loss of….” It doesn’t make you appear weak. It lets your team know they can be themselves too.
In the end, you must be fair and consistent with your leadership.
Yes, the tattoo is mine.
*https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/more-authentic-workplaces-lead-to-better-retention-productivity.aspx
