Page 22 - GreenMaster Fall 2022

uFEATUREuBRUCE MAYHEW, CORPORATE TRAINER AND EXECUTIVE COACH BRUCE@MAYHEWCONSULTING.COM
Creating
Workplace
There is a line in the movie Avatar
(2009) where characters say, “I see you”. It is generally understood the greeting means, “I see who you truly are, I trust and respect you and our relationship”.
Some of our “I see you, I respect you” relationships are only seconds long, like those at a drive-through window, but we still feel them, especially great ones. When it comes to family and our coworkers, our “I see you, I respect you” relationships often go much deeper. In these cases, the phrase, “I see you” can mean, “I know we share values; I know I can count on you, and I want you to know you can count on me. These three
words can also mean “I respect our strengths and working together we can find ways to meet our shared and individual goals.” When we have a relationship like that, we feel it in our bones.
These relationships are built on a foundation of empathy. Empathy has long been thought of as a weakness, but it’s not, it is a superpower. I would like you to imagine your ideal place to work. I’m betting you would like to say things like:
1. I am respected as a person and for my ability / my experience
2. I know what is expected of me / my team (transparency)
3. I have opportunities to learn / grow / experience new things
4. I know how my work supports the companies’ vision, mission, and values 5. I feel a sense of belonging, connection ‘team’ with my associates & clients 6. I am empowered to make decisions and share my ideas
7. I feel safe: physically, emotionally and within my career
8. I trust my workspace (whatever it is) and be trusted
All these examples represent a workplace culture that can be described as empathic and supportive. When leaders design great places to work, they can
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