Episode: 284

Episode Title: Fitting In at Work

What does it mean to fit in at work? Let’s talk about it, coming up next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 284 show:

Hello and welcome to The Perna Syndicate! All week, we’ve been talking about how individuals from under-represented groups can leverage their uniqueness as an asset in their career. 

Whether from personal experience or secondhand accounts, many diverse workers feel that their capacity for success is directly related to their ability to “fit in.” That’s not to say that “fitting in” is necessarily always a bad thing. No matter what our differences, at the end of the day we’re all members of the human race with universal struggles and desires.

And fitting in, feeling a sense of connection with those around us, is one of those desires. When I talked to career coach Andy Agouridis on this topic, he knew it firsthand. As a Greek immigrant to the UK, he says it’s a strange feeling to listen to a group of peers talking about their common background and not have anything to add to the conversation.

If this has ever been you, you’re not alone. It’s important to understand that these challenges are not your fault. Affirming this reality can help you stay true to yourself by embracing your differences more fully.

It helps to define for yourself the values and traits that make you unique. Stay true to the things that matter most to you…and be willing to adapt in everything else. 

You can fit in without losing your uniqueness. You can connect with and learn from others without copying them. Your personality and background are your biggest asset in the workforce, so stay true to who you are.

Tomorrow, we’re wrapping up the week with a word to employers on the topic of DEI. See you back here tomorrow on The Perna Syndicate.