It Is OK to not be OK – Use this to help your teams thrive
“It is OK to not be OK”
Have you come across this phrase before?
It can really help us overcome barriers preventing us looking after ourselves.
It allows us to do what we really need – ask for help.
But also – have you ever thought how this could help your teams?
For those of us who lead, showing our vulnerability at work – yes at work – is a really powerful way to show our teams that it really is OK to not be OK.
That discussing our struggles and seeking help is healthy, not weak.
That you are human and approachable.
This helps develop a culture of psychological safety – one where workers feel less inhibited about sharing what they really think with the boss.
The team benefits in many ways;
from the feedback and ideas from colleagues ‘at the coal face’
from reduced stress within teams
as well as the more obvious benefit - of setting an example for a struggling colleague that it is OK for them to seek support.
Snag is – we are not very comfortable showing vulnerability…
…Especially not at work
…Especially not if we are the boss
…Especially in certain professions (dare I say medicine just maybe one of them?!)
Luckily, like so many things in life – practice makes perfect.
There is no need to bare your whole soul.
Practice baby steps of sharing a small vulnerability at work – and see how it feels - for you and your team.
And then maybe another step?
And another?
I had a good old chat about this and other ways to thrive at work with Dr Amy Imms of the Burnout Project – register here to see our chat.
Explore more:
Join my next Thrive Workshop where we discuss these themes and more!
Have a listen to a recent You Are not a Frog podcast discussing these themes here
And I’ll leave you with a wonderful quote:
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.
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