We live in a world that doesn’t simply overlook the sacrifices made by those who have dedicated their lives to serving others but often expects it. It's time to challenge outdated narratives of service before self and create workplace cultures steeped in an ethos of empathy, compassion, and self-care. It's time to acknowledge the occupational challenges of mission-driven work, to normalize the need for individuals to prioritize self-care, and to hold organizations accountable for protecting the human beings in their workforce. This manifesto for a new approach is at the heart of my discussion with today’s guest, Steve Wiley, on this final episode of Service Without Sacrifice.
Steve Wiley is an executive coach and president of CEEK LLC. With a mission to redefine wellness in organizations, Steve dedicates his time to helping companies create human-centered cultures that prioritize the well-being of their employees. Over the course of our conversation we explore the inherent tension faced by many organizations between achieving results and fostering relationships, the importance of brave spaces, and the role of storytelling in addressing trauma within professional settings.
This was an important conversation that sheds light on the complexities of service, trauma, and resilience and provides practical tools and advice to help leaders and organizations value the humanity of their greatest resource–their people.
Highlights from the Episode:
The world asks us to sacrifice, but we must prioritize self-care and setting boundaries in service-oriented professions: "We've been taught that to do anything different, to set boundaries, to prioritize self-care, to be less than perfect, is selfish. Unprofessional." - Dimple
Organizations must acknowledge and support their staff's mental health and well-being: "The organizations through which we serve often choose not to see our humanity. They choose not to acknowledge our trauma. They choose not to help us heal our pain." - Dimple
Results are often the only metric an organization looks at, which is to the detriment of the people involved. "One of the primary tensions in organizations is this tension between results and relationships." - Steve
Trust is earned and easily broken; once it’s broken, it’s difficult to rebuild. Trust is essential in creating a healthy workplace culture: "We foundationally believe that fear and blame destroy cultures." - Steve
One of the best ways organizations can support their employees is to provide a platform for them to care for themselves: "By giving the platform to have the discussions and to empower individuals to care for themselves, empower individuals, as you say, to share their stories, to be OK not being OK, that is very good and helpful to achieve results in the long run." - Steve
There is a very real case for prioritizing staff health and well-being, one that has been overlooked in the past: "We believe that it's really good business and that empowers us to be better, to be more productive." - Steve
Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for connection, growth, and healing, especially in challenging workplaces. "There's a real power in actually being able to share our stories with others." - Dimple
Resources
Steve Wiley on the web | LinkedIn | Instagram | X(Twitter)
Navigate Chaos: A 5-Step Guide to Balance Work, Family, and Other Life Priorities by Steve Wiley
Dimple Dhabalia on the web | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Substack
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Part 6 | The Manifesto - Featuring Steve Wiley