The picture below shows us all celebrating our #mentalhealth, and acknowledging that it's something we all have, 100% of us, with NO exceptions. Acknowledging that just like physical health, mental health is something where we all have good days, great days, meh days and bad days.
As I heard the stories of managers reactions to those with mental health difficulties today I was appalled and saddened. Bullying behaviour, disrespect, abusive language all being validated by the words "That's just the way business is"!
Interesting to consider of course that those business leaderships wouldn't feel the need to justify their behaviour if they thought it was acceptable.
With January 20th, and the presidential inauguration fast approaching, I'm also reminded of similar bullying responses that seem to suggest "That's just the way politics is" too! The same self interest, protectionism, bullying behaviour that justifies inhumane treatment has been seen there too.
I wish I could wave a magic wand and change the situation - but I can't - not over night anyway.
Here's where my thoughts are on WHAT WE CAN DO:
If "it's just the way business is" then it's like that because people acted without humanity and people accepted it. Over time we learnt that the values that drive our actions outside of work are certainly not the ones that can or should drive our actions at work! Somewhere along the lines we all started to believe the lie "That's just the way business is" and started to act from that belief. We accepted or turned a blind eye to those actions that, if undertaken in our personal lives, would have us disowning or walking away from the relationship.
I often get told I'm naive to expect business to operate differently. I also get told:
- You can't do that in business (about some of the unconventional tools I use) - when I do do that in business
- You can't be honest to a supplier - when I get GREAT deals from suppliers by being honest
- You can't turn down work when you have no work just because it's unethical - when I did just that and survived to tell the tale, and didn't compromise my values as a result!
I also get told
- You're different - you're not like the wolf like purchasers
- It's a refreshing change for a purchaser to act like that
Yes it is that simple.
Before you start with "But that won't work" or "If I do I'll get abused/harassed for it", please hear me out.
Firstly who is this "business" you're talking about - are you not a part of this entity called a business? And if so what are you doing to change your own actions to align with this better business we want to see in the world.
If you believe it won't work, and that's your reaction before you've tried doing it then you are still believing that business can not change - belief in the possible has to come first, otherwise change will never be possible.
I was the same over 11 years ago - I felt dis-empowered, bullied, and couldn't see that there was a different way for business to operate. Time and distance provides a perspective that says business can be all the positive things we want it to be - we just have to believe that it's possible.
It doesn't come, however, without making difficult decisions.
Just like the bullied wife, who can't see beyond the belief of her husband that she's worthless without him, and thus so far has stayed and put up with the bullying, disrespect, abusive language, self interest and protectionism, we each have a choice:
- Leave and find a relationship that enables us to take our humanity to work every day
- Have faith in the underlying humanity of the other person and work on the relationship, so it may grow into it's full potential
- Continue to believe the lies that "that's just the way it is", and accept the consequences of that decision
Together we can bring humanity back into business - we just have to believe it!
PS: Having just returned from hearing astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield speak I've written a post "the sky is not the limit" where I end with the words:
"If humanity can do the impossible and go to the moon, humanity can certainly do the impossible and go into the board room."
PS: Having just returned from hearing astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield speak I've written a post "the sky is not the limit" where I end with the words:
"If humanity can do the impossible and go to the moon, humanity can certainly do the impossible and go into the board room."
The Purchasing Coach
Inspiring change inside and out
To provide more evidence of the possibility of taking our humanity to work I'm wanting to interview organisations where humanity is embraced in all of its daily actions, and especially procurement. I'm hoping that will include B Corporations, and that The Elders may also be able to point me in the right direction. Any suggestions of organisations to talk do please do get in touch +44(0)7770 538159 alison@alisonsmith.eu.
Attendance at other #worksmental conferences have had me writing the following posts:
- Let's talk about it - notes from January 2016 conference
- Are you a toxic leader - arising from an agenda item at Jan 2016
- Is your head in the sand - about our contribution to others' mental health - because whether we like it or not we will be impacting others mental health - positively and negatively
- It's not about the toast - notes from May 2013 conference
And some posts aimed at Procurement professionals:
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