The Make Work More Human Blog

Read. Be inspired. Lead with Love.

Is it really possible to create a way of working based on love not fear? Yes. It’s not only possible. It’s essential. Learn more from this collection of more than 100 posts to inspire and guide you.

The Odyssey of a Transwoman and the Crises of the Trans Community
Renée Smith Renée Smith

The Odyssey of a Transwoman and the Crises of the Trans Community

In her heartfelt and intimate blog, Cori takes us on her personal journey of transitioning, courageously sharing her struggles and challenges. She provides a raw depiction of her experience with gender dysphoria, vividly outlining the daily reality of being a transgender woman in a society marked by both subtle and overt hostility. Cori shares about the individual and collective crises facing the trans and non-binary communities. She emphasizes the crucial role of allies and the transformative power of acceptance and support. By shedding light on her own story, Cori urges allies to stand committed and empathetic in light of the crises facing the trans and non-binary communities. She highlights that even the smallest gestures of understanding and compassion can save lives and drive meaningful change.

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Honoring Juneteenth: A Heartfelt Personal Reflection
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Honoring Juneteenth: A Heartfelt Personal Reflection

In this blog, Ariana navigates the complexities of celebrating Juneteenth as allies and explores the ways in which we can honor the experiences and resilience of the Black community. She addresses the fear of overstepping and provides guidance on engaging in respectful conversations about race. Drawing inspiration from insightful articles by Black authors, Ariana unravels the history behind Juneteenth and sheds light on its contemporary relevance. She emphasizes the need for ongoing efforts toward equity and justice, acknowledging that the fight against systemic racism is far from over. With compassion and solidarity, Ariana reflects on the current harm caused by microaggressions and strives to create a more inclusive society.

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Coming Off Your Ladder: The Path to Effective Conflict Engagement
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Coming Off Your Ladder: The Path to Effective Conflict Engagement

Steven shares that conflict is not something that needs to be feared or avoided; it is a stepping-stone to better communication, understanding, and ultimately, connection. He offers a comprehensive exploration of the 'Ladder of Inference' concept, a tool that deconstructs how we form and reinforce our assumptions, often escalating rather than resolving conflict. By courageously stepping down from our ladders through ‘Courageous Conversations’, Steven shares that we can foster more effective communication and build stronger, harmonious relationships. So, if you've found yourself caught in the cycle of conflict, discover how you can turn conflicts from threats into opportunities for growth and establish more meaningful relationships.

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The Stress Cycle - And How to Complete It
Renée Smith Renée Smith

The Stress Cycle - And How to Complete It

Renée extends a compassionate hand to her readers and guides us through the paramount journey of overcoming stress and burnout. Her exploration of Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski's insights into stress cycles provides a practical roadmap to understanding and managing stress. Sharing the narrative of a critical crossroads in her life, she highlights the importance of communal support and self-care practices, reminding us that we are not meant to face life’s challenges alone.

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The Art of Questioning
Renée Smith Renée Smith

The Art of Questioning

Sandi invites you on a journey through the intriguing world of artful questioning, using her rich background in journalism and communications to guide the way. Sandi emphasizes the power of asking thoughtful questions to foster empathy and cultivate stronger relationships. Sandi offers practical tips and personal anecdotes, demonstrating the power of active listening and thoughtful questioning. This blog is not just about asking questions, but about the transformative power of curiosity and openness in building a more human workplace. Dive in and learn how to master the art of the question with Sandi.

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Celebrating and Honoring Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Celebrating and Honoring Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Celebrate and honor Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with Joanne! Discover ways to uplift AAPI culture and experiences, from visiting museums to attending or hosting events to advocating for AAPI equity. Further, enjoy a poem written by Joanne to artfully express her experience as a Filipina American.

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Is Your Contribution Valued? Do You Feel Like You Belong?
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Is Your Contribution Valued? Do You Feel Like You Belong?

Simon explores the issue of dehumanized workplaces, revealing that over 60% of employees worldwide feel emotionally disconnected from their jobs. To combat this, he explains how to prioritize employee well-being and foster inclusion and belonging. He emphasizes connection and collaboration, as important tools for early adopters. Foster a more human workplace by being present, engaging in meaningful conversations, and demonstrating care for colleagues.

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Thoughts From The Desk of a COO (Compassionate Operations Officer) 
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Thoughts From The Desk of a COO (Compassionate Operations Officer) 

Rick explores a new lens of operations. He challenges the traditionally cold and impersonal view of operations and imbues it with compassion and warmth. Rick introduces readers to his new role as the first Compassionate Operations Officer and the monthly blog series that will outline this unique and powerful take on operations. By rejecting the scarcity mindset and focusing on unleashing human potential, Rick aims to redefine operations in a more compassionate manner. Join Rick as he embarks on this transformative path to infusing work with compassion and humanity.

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Be a Guide on a Journey: Accompany Someone with Compassion and Support
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Be a Guide on a Journey: Accompany Someone with Compassion and Support

Simon delves into the art of accompanying someone on their journey, sharing his experiences and insights on how to be present and supportive during the most challenging moments of another person's life. Through his writings, you'll learn the importance of patience, understanding, and genuine curiosity in building a strong bond between you and the person you're accompanying. Discover the beauty of sharing life's highs and lows and the transformative power of being there for someone in their time of need.

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Make Meetings More Human, Please! Part 2 - The Check-In
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Make Meetings More Human, Please! Part 2 - The Check-In

Renée builds upon her foundational blog Make Meetings More Human, Please! with a part 2. She introduces and unpacks the dynamic and transformational nature of a simple Check-In. When we're constantly bombarded with information, it's easy to lose sight of the human element in our professional lives. By starting meetings with a simple Check-In, we are enabled to collaborate with more effectiveness. Learn how this practice, introduced by organizational consultant Edie Seashore, can foster trust, empathy, and understanding among team members. With real-life examples and tips on tailoring Check-Ins to your group's needs, this blog post is a must-read for anyone looking to improve team performance and create more meaningful connections in the workplace.

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Make Meetings More Human, Please! Part 1
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Make Meetings More Human, Please! Part 1

In our fast-paced professional world, it's easy to lose sight of the human aspect of our work. Renée explores the importance of meaningful connection in meetings, emphasizing that people crave care, support, and recognition from their leaders and teammates. Discover how adopting a more human-centered approach to meetings can transform your workplace culture, boost engagement, and foster innovation. In this warm and insightful blog post, learn simple yet powerful practices to make your meetings more inclusive and connected. Embrace a kinder, more compassionate way of conducting business, and experience the difference it can make for your team.

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Gender Equality Month: Reflecting On Humanity
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Gender Equality Month: Reflecting On Humanity

March is not just Women’s History Month, but also Gender Equality Month! As we celebrate Gender Equality Month, Wil Johnson reminds us that it's important to reflect on what it truly means to embrace our humanity. Gender equality is not just about ensuring equal access to opportunities and resources, but also about removing barriers that hinder access for various groups or individuals. To truly promote equality, we must address gender discrimination, which occurs when a person or group of people are denied access or their voices are marginalized based solely on their gender identity. In this blog, Wil explores how gender inequality shows up in the classroom, workspaces, and interpersonal relationships, and provides actionable steps we can take to promote equality regardless of gender identity. Ultimately, embracing humanity means creating spaces of equality where each person has access to opportunity. By reflecting on our own biases and taking actionable steps to promote gender equality, we can all work towards a more just and equitable society.

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Gathering of Trees
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Gathering of Trees

Celebrate Women's History Month with us by enjoying artifacts that emerged from our "The Gathering of Trees". The blog includes a powerful poem that speaks to shedding the limitations of societal expectations and embracing one's true strength and potential. As well as two beautiful works of art created by our community members. The post encourages women to take up the space they need, speak their truth, and never be silenced or diminished again.

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Weaving Our Human Tapestry
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Weaving Our Human Tapestry

Our society's fabric feels threadbare, and our workplaces often exclude certain perspectives and contributions. Organizations that prioritize creating equitable and inclusive cultures perform better, but where do we start? We need to learn to weave together our common human threads and our differences, both the warp and the weft, to create a stunning and inspired tapestry. This weaving requires learning new skills and habits, which can be uncomfortable but necessary for growth. As we move through the discomfort of collective learning, we can come together to create a more inclusive, dynamic, and innovative way of working, expanding who collaborates, how we collaborate, and what we work on. Let's learn to weave together and create something more beautiful together.

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Lift Every Voice and Sing
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Wil Johnson challenges and empowers us to find our authentic voices and lift them up to create change together. Through the narrative of his own life, Wil highlights how we can engage with one another to prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging so that we can further encourage our individual and collective humanity.

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Color Mindfulness: Honoring and Valuing Our Skin
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Color Mindfulness: Honoring and Valuing Our Skin

Jen Todd shares her experience with “Color Blindness” and urges us instead to move towards “Color Mindfulness”. Sharing stories from her daughter, mother, and her own life, Jen paints an elegant and powerful picture of how ignoring or diminishing race can be harmful and why instead we should choose to celebrate and honor all skin colors.

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Plan to Love
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Plan to Love

Founder and CEO of A Human Workplace, Renee Smith, challenges us to consider where love shows up in our plans for 2023, and what love you might choose to live.

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Take Care of Your Whole-Self This Season
Renée Smith Renée Smith

Take Care of Your Whole-Self This Season

Through the lens of personal and vulnerable storytelling, Jen Todd shares three tips for self-care during the holiday season. She reminds us all that our well-being is of the utmost importance and how to prioritize this during the busyness of the year-end season. Read on for ways to practice your own self-reflection and self-care this month.

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