Change. We are transitioning from a society that chose to value DEI, to a society that no longer sees the value in DEI. It’s important that we maintain a sense of decorum (proper and polite behavior), try to do our best work, and contribute positively to the environment by being a good team player/employee.

Regardless of your workplace (remote, office), you are expected to be able to communicate with coworkers and other people, as necessary. It’s important to know how you feel about any interaction. I say interaction as opposed to people, as it’s a way to get past being emotionally uncomfortable when having to communicate.

Removing the emotional attachment from any interaction enables you to observe and move forward from an objective perspective. We need to be objective. If for no other reason, it’s better for us from a health perspective. How much time do you spend emotionally attached to a situation you have no control over? Often our lack of control causes us grief, yet we refuse to change, and we suffer the consequences.

Objectivity is a skill and can be developed. For some people it comes easily. For others it’s a hard skill to learn.  However, it is best to learn to be objective, and become a healthier person for doing so.

Looking at someone objectively enables you to see the real person. Not only are you aware of their physical appearance, but you’re also taking in their verbal and non-verbal forms of communication. Because there is no emotional attachment, you’re able to see the person as they are, and not what’s in your head or blurring your vision (emotions). When we can ‘see’ someone, we may not see them as being different. It’s easier to identify similarities that may exist, providing a shared interest for communication. Removing emotional attachments also removes negative thoughts and related behaviors.

As was mentioned in the title, your words matter more than ever before. How will you approach this statement? How willing are you to view someone differently by being objective?

You can connect with almost anyone when being objective. What do you have in common? What can you discuss that may be of interest? What questions do you have? What have you observed about their actions and reactions that provide a clue to their personality? Do they possess traits you admire that you’ve observed?

A productive workplace requires everyone to be responsible for their words and show ‘decorum’ in their verbal interactions. Since there’s no ‘magic eraser’ for words coming out of our mouths, we must be aware of what we’re about to say. What will be the impact? Any thought that is revised multiple times probably should not be acted on or expressed verbally.

Remind yourself of the power of the words you speak, as someone who’s confident with high self-esteem. If we believe in kindness, it will show in our interactions with others and how we make them feel. Kind words have power. If it’s a virtue you’re still working on, keep practicing kindness. First to yourself, and then to others when you see the positive impact it has on you!

My Road Trip Guide for My Personal Journey is a valuable tool if the reader is willing to take time to engage in the activities, reflect on the lessons learned, and incorporate this new knowledge into their daily lives.