TBN #36
You’re more impactful than you think
Remember last week when I said I was going to check in with you about your impact? Well, Subscriber First Name, check-in time starts now! How are you making a positive impact right where you are? Not sure? Well, let me tell you a story and we’ll see if that helps.
For the past several months, I have been working with a composer on a special project. My role is to serve as a diversity/equity/inclusion (DEI) advisor and culture expert to our colleagues working on the project. While I am aware of the effort it takes to compose and commission an artistic piece, the nature of this project is beyond my usual scope of work. However, through many individual and group conversations, the composer often reminds me of the value I bring to the project. This week, she sent me an email and stated, “you are appreciated more than you know.”
You make be thinking I was experiencing imposter syndrome. And, you’re probably right. However, that’s not the focus of this story. The composer did one key thing: she validated my work and affirmed my efforts.
Microvalidations and microaffirmations are one way you can have direct impact on someone’s work and experience.
What are microaffirmations? Think: opposite of microaggressions. These are little but impactful ways you can affirm someone’s identity and validate their experience. As a result, you can help them build confidence and show them support.
So, how do you do it?
Ask them for their opinion
Recognize their achievement(s)—big and small
Acknowledge their feelings and emotions, even if you don't agree with them.
Validate their experience by acknowledging that their thoughts and feelings are real and important.
Show empathy by putting yourself in their shoes and understanding their perspective.
Use positive nonverbal communication like friendly facial expressions and gestures
Listen actively and attentively to what the person is saying.
Avoid dismissing their concerns or jumping to solutions without fully understanding their perspective.
Tell me Subscriber First Name, is this something you can do? I believe so. Send me a message and tell me about it. You can also find me on Threads and Spill @dramberbenton.
Let’s get into it…
WEEKLY UPDATE
CLIFF NOTES: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
DEI Legislation Tracker via Chronicle of Higher Ed
July is Disability Pride Month, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and South Asian American Heritage Month (begins on July 18)
HOMEWORK: FLAMIN’ HOT
What I’m Listening To 🎧: Jonah Hill’s Boundaries, and the Injustices of the Tulsa Massacre on the Higher Learning podcast. Skip to the 26 min mark for the good part.
What I’m Watching 📺 : I recently watched FLAMIN HOT on Hulu and I loved it. It is a great (and true) ‘rags to riches’ story about flamin’ hot Cheetos.
What I’m Reading This Month 📚: It’s officially summer and I’m switching up what I read. My pick for this month is Nightcrawling: A novel by Leila Mottley. If it’s good enough for Oprah, then it’s good enough for me.
DANCE BREAK: OBSESSED
The mixture of vocals and beats in this song always puts me in a good mood. Listen to the song.
Listen to the full TBN playlist.
DOUBLE TAP: WHO I’M FOLLOWING
Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. You can also visit their website to learn more.
I’d love to hear from you!
What do you need to be better in work and in life? Send me a message or connect with me on social.
