✅ Today’s checklist:
🤔 Trivia: Which type of cell in the human body has the longest lifespan? Find out here.
🧘♀️ Job Search: Check out these 10 effective strategies to ease job search anxiety.
🚩 Health: Identify and understand the warning signs of ‘situational’ depression.
🍽️ Food: Learn how to develop a positive relationship with food.
💆🏽♀️ Self-care: Get ahead of the season and treat that dry scalp with these effective remedies.
💼 Career: If you’re unhappy at work, start identifying what’s wrong.
If you’re an introvert in a workplace that often favors extroversion, you may face challenges in making your voice heard.
However, your unique strengths in listening, thoughtful communication, and independent work are invaluable assets.
By recognizing and harnessing these powers, you can flourish without compromising your true nature.
Master Your Energy Flow
The secret to thriving as an introvert lies in understanding your energy dynamics.
Identify the activities that drain or recharge you, such as solo tasks or team meetings.
Plan your day strategically, incorporating restorative breaks and focused work sessions.
Engage in hobbies and self-care practices that replenish your energy reserves.
Assert Your Boundaries With Grace
While some group events are inevitable, you can still communicate your preferences to your manager and colleagues with diplomacy.
Here are some phrases you can swipe:
Foster Authentic Connections
Cultivate genuine connections that align with your introspective nature.
Express gratitude through heartfelt notes, share thought-provoking content, and engage in one-on-one conversations.
These gestures build rapport and showcase your attentiveness and depth.
Amplify Your Quiet Superpowers
As an exceptional listener and deep thinker, you synthesize information in nuanced ways.
Gravitate towards roles that capitalize on your strengths, such as those requiring autonomy, precision, and innovative problem-solving.
If public speaking isn’t your forte, explore alternative avenues like crafting compelling presentations or engaging in intimate discussions.
Embrace your quiet power and let your brilliance speak for itself.
💡 If you want to understand where you fall on the introvert/extrovert spectrum, there are several quizzes listed here.
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I had an amazing opportunity to become the head of global marketing and was flown abroad to our HQ to strategically align all of our marketing departments.
Finally! All of my hard work is coming to fruition!
I loved our company culture and sense of camaraderie, so I of course attended the “welcome happy hour” with the rest of the team.
When I learned that Mark* (the CEO of the UK business) & his colleague Stan* were staying at the same hotel as me, I asked if we could walk back together. Being a woman in a foreign country, I wanted to err on the side of caution.
On our walk back, Stan was a gentleman but Mark made some inappropriate comments I wouldn’t expect a CEO to be saying.
The next night, there was another after-work social event.
When I arrived, Mark was at the bar ordering drinks for the team, and asked what I wanted. He said it in a flirtatious way but I didn’t think anything of it given he was married with kids.
Around 9:30pm, I realized I left my hotel key in my lunchbox…in the now locked office kitchen. I frantically asked around to see who could let me in — Mark was the only one with a key.
We walked back to the office, but this time I could tell the cocktails had gotten to him. As we crossed the street, he held his hand out like I was either a child or his girlfriend.
When I ignored his gesture, he put his hand on my low back as we walked along the side walk. I immediately got hit with creepy vibes.
The dark empty office caused my heart to start racing in the way I can only describe as fight-or-flight senses.
It hit me that if he wanted to get handsy or physical with me, I wouldn’t be able to scream for help, or get out easily.
I nervously laughed at his stupid comments and practically ran to the kitchen to get my lunchbox.
After that, I tried to avoid him from him as much as possible at the office but somehow he found a way to stare at me or come talk to me about nothing.
I shared his behavior with a male coworker, Duncan* who worked at the corporate headquarters.
“Yeah, he’s got a reputation with the ladies. You’re not the first one to get those vibes,” he shared.
At the next team outing (a coworker’s birthday celebration), I went with the marketing ladies, and Duncan. Mark & Stan were there, so we planned to walk back to our hotel together again.
We had a big meeting the next morning, so we decided to leave around midnight. On the walk, Mark and Stan excitedly told me about some fancy wine they’d purchased which they were going to drink.
When we arrived at our hotel, I hugged them goodbye while they pestered me to keep the party going.
I reminded them of our big 8am meeting, and that they could be hungover but I needed to get some rest. I had my big shot tomorrow to show I should be promoted to a global marketing head!
60 seconds later, as I was walking into my room I got WhatsApp messages from Mark saying “Wine and massage? Final offer. Chance of a lifetime!”
I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
I texted back something that I deemed was polite enough not to regret tomorrow, making it clear I was not interested and succumbing to his bullsh*t offers via 1am sleezy texts.
Next, I cried. I was so overwhelmed with emotions. Mostly disgusted, insulted, and angry.
Then the sexual harassment victim emotions of shame and embarrassment hit.
Did I say something to suggest ….anything? What was I wearing?
Did I come off as a flirty? Was I too friendly? Did I give him the wrong message by asking to be walked home?
Should I have not accepted him buying me drinks? Did I come off as unprofessional? Were any of my outfits showing too much cleavage?
I immediately understood why women don’t report their abusers or predators at work.
He hadn’t even physically sexually assaulted me, and yet I felt so dirty. I felt such shame. I felt gross. I felt small.
I couldn’t even IMAGINE the trauma of having someone physically touch me.
Thankfully the #MeToo movement had positively impacted my psyche and I remembered that I had power and self-respect.
I remembered I didn’t deserve this, I hadn’t asked for it.
I remembered he was a grown a** man. He was the leader of an entire UK company, and he made the mistake, not me.
And if he was doing this to me — who else was it happening to? What other terrible things has he gotten away with?
I knew I had to do something. Speak up. But I had no idea where to start.
Next week, I’ll share the steps I took and the aftermath that occurred.
The thought of confronting my harasser, a powerful CEO, was daunting.
Would anyone believe me? Would it jeopardize my career?
These questions swirled in my mind as I grappled with the weight of my experience.
In Part 2 of my story, I’ll share the steps I took to report the incident and the aftermath.
From navigating HR protocols to dealing with the emotional fallout, I’ll provide an honest account of my journey to hold my harasser accountable and seek justice.
Lots of love & empowerment,
Thania Guardino (Content Mgr. at TA)
*Names have been changed to prevent inciting a witch hunt.
Create and maintain a good working relationship between manager and employee.
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