‘We can be professional and human at the same time.’
TW: suicide statistics
‘Professional’ does not mean ‘invulnerable’.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics (2019) the number of suicides at work in the US has increased by 21.6% from 2011 to 2018. Remember this as you read on.
I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve seen beautifully inspirational stories shared on professional platforms only to be met with comments questioning the validity of sharing them in a professional realm.
Most recently the Black Lives Matter movement has had many ask what business the topic has being posted about on LinkedIn.
I’m seeing people share very personal realizations on suicide, depression, abuse, self love and other topics so they can help others break their silence and move us all towards a healthier future, only to be met with disdain because a professional platform allegedly should not contain personal, living and breathing stories of what it means to be human.
The disconnect is literally killing us. And so I applaud each and every one of you who have decided to step out and be real. It’s a brave move, and it’s much needed.
Let me tell you this: The professional world *needs* your personal insights and realizations. It *depends* on it. It just doesn’t yet fully realize it. So you’ll sometimes get pushbacks, no doubt, but you will also help yourself, your colleagues and generations to come live more real, human, authentic, fulfilling lives *while* building careers that allow them to be human and align with who they are.
We need to realize that *any* business is a people business. We need to stop pretending we’re not fully human when we enter the boardroom or any other place of work. We need to start allowing ourselves and others to be whole in all aspects of life. And we need to challenge employers, training providers and our colleagues to support this move wholeheartedly.
Please call Samaritans on 116 123 (UK and ROI) if you or someone you know is suicidal.