Growing at work, growing in life
BA students working on a project in the Swiss mountains. copyright: LLAD
A plea for personal development and quality of life at work
I do not understand the concept of «work-life-balance». 9-5 work and 5-9 life. From 9-5 we spend our time with “physical or mental effort in order to make money”, as the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of “work” says. Then from 5-9 we have time for “quality physical and mental experiences that make up our existence,” according to the same source in its definition of “life”. The idea of work-life-balance excludes life from work. Should not being alive unfold 24/7?
Following the «work-life-balance» concept, we all go to work like robots. We leave our lives at the coat check. And after work we pick up our lives again. Does that make any sense?
I believe that we have the right to be alive all day long. Especially between 9 and 5, our most waking hours. Instead of «work-life-balance» I plea for being alive while at work. Let us be creative, inspired, connected, and successful in regards to our work-related projects – and develop as persons in a meaningful way. Let us rather follow the concept of «life+work=growth».
I have the privilege to work closely with a team of around 30 members. In my «life+work=growth» imagination, we all come to work as authentic beings. We look forward to our life+work-time as an opportunity for development and empowerment. During the day, we mature individually and as a team in meaningful ways.
No more daunting safety thinking and controlling rules. As leaders we could create spaces of growth for all our team members. Let me share some ideas (inspired by Petra Bock’s mind-fuck-coaching principles) that enhance self-development and savoir vivre, while we are at work.
Nobody likes to be told about all the things that could go wrong. No one is inspired or motivated by disaster scenarios. Let go of doom and gloom thinking. Instead focus on and strengthen the spirit of adventure, courage, and curiosity in yourself and your employees.
Adhering to arbitrary or outdated rules does not bring us any further. Instead give yourself and everybody else the freedom to be creative, imaginative. Make space for out-of-the-box solutions.
Judging oneself and each other, expecting perfection, or being chronically dissatisfied does not feel good for yourself or for your team. We are all good enough. Let us be generous and open to new perspectives.
The same is true for mistrust. Stop making fun of yourself or others’ abilities. Jealousy, spying, control closes doors. Invest in trust and everybody’s confidence will grow.
Let go of pressure. Stop kicking yourself or others “in the butt”. Being comfortable and happy at work is not a sin. To the contrary: relaxation and joy show that you are paying attention to your own resources and intrinsic motivations.
Your projects and your team will not grow if you always wonder what other people could feel or think about you and your projects. If you do not take yourself seriously, your team will not feel taken seriously. Instead surrender. Develop trust in your own talents and those of your team.
Enjoy the ride.
Enjoy life. Thank you for reading.
Also published on medium: https://dorotheeking.medium.com/growing-at-work-growing-in-life-fe1437a17ae9