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Self-Care: The Secret Sauce of a Thriving Workplace

 

Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez

Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez

Helping Tech companies deliver products faster and with greater impact || Release faster, Retain customers, Realize internal alignment || Scaling || Process Improvement || SDLC || Sustainability || LCA

February 17, 2024

This week, I was delighted to participate in a panel discussion alongside fellow women in the tech world, graciously hosted by the Alaska Airlines Women in Technology group.

Our focal point? Self-love.

Yes, you heard that right. Amidst the whirlwind of our professional lives, we delved into the art of balancing self-care with the demands of our work.

Picture this: juggling priorities and aligning values at home and work. It’s a delicate dance.

We shared insights on the importance of setting our compass straight, ensuring our focus remains sharp.

But here’s the thing: it’s not just on us as individuals. It is up to our workplace, too. It is on our leaders. They have a direct influence in shaping a work environment where self-care isn’t a luxury but a cornerstone of success.

 

Creating the Right Conditions

As a leader, how can you create the conditions that allow your people to prioritize their well-being while caring for the business?

People, process, technology — my trusty trifecta.

 

Having these perspectives in balance allows us to move towards our goals and towards success. So, let’s dive in!

1. People.

Equip them with the right tools, and train them well. Challenge them to stretch their skills and take risks. Inspire them to have confidence in themselves, and with your actions, let them know that you have their back. Normalize making mistakes and trying again at the workplace, as this creates psychological safety and helps everyone perform better.

Above all, walk the talk of self-care. When you ask your employees to disconnect and care for themselves, make sure you do it as well.

 

2. Process.

Not any process would do (there are many bad ones out there!). You need a well-designed, efficient process, stripped of meaningless activities, red tape, and non-value-added approvals. Let’s design processes that make sense, fostering creativity where it truly matters—solving the challenges that shape our world and society for the better.

 

3. Technology.

Technology can either be our ally or our foe. Evaluate how the technology fits into your organization as a whole. Ensure it syncs seamlessly with your processes, clearing the path for innovation rather than blocking it.

It is important to remember that our actions at work and home affect not only our immediate circle but also the planet and society, which impacts our well-being.

The air we breathe, the state of our society, and the changing weather patterns all impact our personal and professional lives. Therefore, we should be mindful of the impact of our actions. But don’t worry; we will dive further into this topic in future Wisdom Weekly editions.

 

Prioritize People, Ignite Success

The bottom line is that gym passes and unlimited PTO are nice workplace perks, but they are mere band-aids if our workplace is not fostering an environment where goals can be achieved, and creativity can thrive.

In conclusion, self-care is not just a buzzword; it is the secret sauce to unlocking our true potential. By prioritizing people, process, technology, and impact, we can create a work environment where our people thrive, and success is measured not just in profits but also in the well-being of our people and our planet.

Let's commit to building a workplace culture that puts people first and empowers them to achieve great things, both personally and professionally.

Walking Tree https://www.walkingtree.green/