APRIL 11, 2022
Should You Put The Mission Or Yourself First?
People in the nonprofit world, as well as in the private sector, often say, “the mission is always first!”
I know it sounds like blasphemy, but I’ll say it…Employees should come before the mission.
Leaders: Who are you serving if your staff who is deliveringthe mission are not valued?
Employees: Are you able to contribute your best if you aren’t taking care of yourself or others in the organization?
Leaders put your own oxygen mask on first, then encourage, support, help your people do that same!
When your needs are met, you can help your team to better support the mission.
This is why so much of our work at OAIB is about reviving people and culture first, then aligning the healthier you to the mission.
Why Put Yourself First?
The most effective leaders lead by example, right? If you’re showing up as an exhausted, frustrated, burnt out person, what message are you sending? I’ll tell you, this is normal, this expected, this what we do…..
The most effective employees come to work every day with energy, focus, and drive. If you’re burned out or unhappy, you may be contributing to mediocre performers, unhealthy culture or worse, a hostile work environment.
It’s a snowball effect.
This is why we believe DEIB is so important.
People have to be able to bring their best, most authentic selves to work…so they can get the job done with excellence.
How To Put Yourself First
I don’t want people to read this post and think, “Tawana’s giving me permission to be selfish and not support my organization.”
That’s not what I’m saying.
I’m saying that to fulfill your organization’s mission, you as an individual, no matter your role, have a responsibility to “Invest in self care”
- Rest, mentally and physically
- Pursue your personal interests
- Speak up about injustice in the workplace
- Manage stress by setting boundaries with your time
- Make work-life balance a way of life
And leaders, create a healthy workplace culture, by:
- Encourage people feel safe to be their authentic selves
- Confront workplace injustice and deal with it swiftly
- Recognize employees who are contributing to a positive environment
- Invest in employee resource groups
- Leverage the power and promise of equity
If you would like to talk about these issues, contact us, OAIB can help.
Organization At Its Best Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Tawana Bhagwat, has more than twenty-five years of experience directing Human Resource administration, change management, learning and development, facilitation, DEIB, and executive coaching.
Organization At Its Best, Inc.
Leveraging the Power & Promise of Equity.
OAIB is a full-service Human Resource and Executive Consulting firm helping private, non-profit, and public sector organizations create committed, effective, and sustainable cultures distinguished by a deep sense of belonging.
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