We Bring Our Whole Selves

We bring our whole selves to the work we do. Every facet of our individual identities, our upbringings, lived experiences, and beliefs shapes why and how we do this work. 

My Christian faith, being a mother and wife, the oldest of three girls, having grown up in San Antonio, TX, being a white woman, where I went to school, who I have been friends with, being a trained classroom educator, having lived overseas— all of these things and so much more have influenced why I believe racial equity is important for us as people and why I came to work at Harper Slade. As Nikki often says, this work feels missional and I am honored to get to be a part of it. I also realize the privilege it is to do work that I believe in and to be in a space where my identity is seen as a strength. 

Too often, people feel they must hide whole parts of themselves at work. They’ve been told they’re too loud, abrasive, or felt like they’re too much. Or perhaps they’ve been the recipients of racially charged micro-aggressions with comments about food they brought for lunch, their hair, or their body language. Their differences are seen as a deficit, and not a strength. 

We are not advocating a lack of professionalism, but there is a difference in using professional vernacular in presentations and written communication, and changing the way you speak so to be more accepted by co-workers or your boss. 

Difference cannot equal deficit. 

Being encouraged to bring the fullness of our identities to work, promotes not only a richness in the work environment, but clears the way for full employee engagement and activation. 

We work with clients so that they can begin to unpack their beliefs, the ones they inherited  before they entered the workplace, and ones they have gathered since, to understand how they view difference and how that affects their work. 

We also work with clients to help them learn how to create space for their employees to show up fully in the work place— so that they want to stay, so that they can give their best discretionary efforts, and so that innovation can occur. 

If you are ready to create a space where your employees can show up fully, or if you have felt like you have’t been able to do so yourself, we can help. 

Book an introductory call to learn about how our offerings equip organizations to support the full self.

-Jaeden Thomas