Maybe we wouldn’t need vacations to escape burnout at work if we could be our authentic selves more often. We often talk about culture’s impact on work wellness, and our guide in Egypt on a recent trip had this to say: “Americans are mild and stressed all the time, while we are either harsh and forceful like the desert or hospitable as the trees by the Nile.” The guide’s observations proved true, as locals had a deep sense of community with each other, but eagerly embraced conflict whenever the opportunity arose. Lest we single out Egyptians, the same dynamic plays out in Greece, and even in the Spanish-speaking hospital in Florida that Nick anesthetizes at occasionally.
Willingness of expression comes partly from deeper connection with others, as explained in our video about family conflict.
We’re not really going to segue into King Tut’s family dynamic, but it’s a cool photo nonetheless. So, what are some ways you can be your true self at work this week, without losing your job? By rejecting the passive-aggressive, chronically irritated culture so common in workplaces, you can start saving your best self for the ones you love instead of coworkers. Evidence of this is enough patience at the end of your work day to not snap at the spouse and kids, because you haven’t spent the day doing mental gymnastics to hide your feelings. None of this means you should be obnoxious or expect others to accommodate your big personality, even if you have a doctor’s note (the Egyptian guide also described all men in his country as bipolar, but that seemed impolite). However, if you gain a reputation for speaking your mind honestly, you can spend more effort on your job instead of political theatrics. We realize that many Behave Wellness clients work in healthcare and are expected to smile while others exhibit poor behavior. Contemplate which of your customer service skills feel icky, and if/how they serve to advance your career. “This is dumb, but necessary” is easier to swallow then reacting the same to behavior from disrespectful patients or staff, suffering but frustrated customers, or bullying coworkers. You can see all sorts of personalities in the video we took at the Pyramids of Giza–tourists asking for selfies, illegally climbing the Pyramids, interactions with the locals, etc.
Ok, we took that picture in Hawaii, as the Egyptian idea of a verdant forest isn’t quite as impressive, but the fact remains that in the workplace, we need multiple social approaches to tackle problems, and overuse can quickly lead to burnout. Sometimes the solution is as simple as a Plan B so you can refuse to ingratiate or humiliate yourself if it’s not worth it–we’re not too far removed from COVID to forget how many people simply quit their jobs rather than slog through an uncertain future without a good enough paycheck to warrant the risk. None of us are promised tomorrow. When do you think it’s appropriate to be a harsh desert or a friendly forest at work? Also, check out Facebook or Insta if you’re interested in the travel side of Behave Wellness on social media.
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