
It all started with what I thought was a simple conversation at work about vacations. I casually mentioned that I believe people should prioritize going on more vacations. People let budgets get in the way, but there are cheaper options, such as camping, couch surfing, or staying with friends or family. To me this was a harmless suggestion that I hoped would encourage others to seek new opportunities.
However, my colleague’s response reminded me that I was looking through my own limited perspective, and was making assumption about other’s experiences, opportunities and abilities. He pointed out that the luxury of considering any form of vacation is not universal, underscoring the diversity of life circumstances. There are myriad barriers that can make taking a trip infeasible — being a caretaker for a loved one, financial inability to take time off work, issues related to physical disability or neurodivergency — just to name a few.
This interaction was a stark revelation of how my well-meaning advice could inadvertently come across as condescending and privileged.
The Broader Context of Workplace Privilege
Workplace privilege is an often invisible, yet significant, advantage some individuals hold over others in professional settings. This privilege can stem from various aspects, including but not limited to one’s life circumstances, financial stability or the ability to take time off work. These privileges, frequently unrecognized by those who possess them, significantly influence workplace interactions and opportunities.
Encountering such teachable moments calls for reflection. Here are some insights that guided my introspection:
- On Understanding Privilege: Recognizing one’s privilege is less about self-blame and more about understanding systemic inequalities. It’s the first step towards fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment.
- On the Impact of Privilege in the Workplace: Unacknowledged privilege can create unseen barriers, affecting team growth and morale. Leaders must be cognizant of these dynamics and strive for equ
- On Personal Growth and Awareness: Embracing vulnerability and empathy is crucial for both personal and professional growth. Understanding our biases and privileges is key to genuinely connecting with and leading others.
Steps Towards Change
Acknowledging my oversight and expressing gratitude to my colleague for his diplomatic response was the first step I needed to take. Every person has barriers and limitations in their life, and no one wants to have those mistakenly labeled as laziness or apathy. In the wake of this realization, I have taken several steps:
- Active Listening and Learning: Committing to attentively listen to and learn from my colleagues’ diverse experiences.
- Educating Myself: Delving into my various assumptions and aspects of privilege and their impact on professional environments.
- Inclusive Communication: Adapting my communication style to be more considerate of different life circumstances.
- Advocating for Equity: Using my position to promote policies and practices that counteract workplace privilege.
Application
Too often when we start speaking about diversity and privilege, there can be overwhelming fear of saying the wrong thing and being shamed. I have had people tell me about their desire to ‘sit down and shut up’ until the nuanced and complicated conversation passes. However, in my experience, the best communication and relationships have come from the moments when I have used Walt Whitman’s advice: Be curious; not judgmental.
If I found myself in a similar conversation about vacations today, I still hold a lot of the same opinions, but I would engage differently. Instead of assuming that it’s a lack of prioritization or creativity that is keeping people from taking vacations, I would cite my own conversations and experiences and ask for thoughts. It would go more like this, ‘Whether it’s visiting family or camping or a shoestring budget road trip, vacations are a vital part me rebooting and being a balanced person/employee. I understand there can be other aspects of life, work and family that make vacations unobtainable for people, but also a lot of people I have talked to have unintentionally decided that vacations must include planes, hotels and nice restaurants, and as a result are gatekeeping themselves. But that is only my experience. Have you had similar conversations or have they looked different?’ I am sure it is still not perfect, and I am sure I still have more to learn, but that is exactly it — I am a work in progress, and I am continuing to learn.
Recognizing and rectifying my own workplace privilege has certainly involved discomfort, but they were necessary growing pains. That discomfort has enhanced my awareness of my colleagues’ diverse experiences, and has been instrumental in shaping me into a more empathetic and effective leader. By sharing my humbling experience, I hope to encourage each of us to reflect on our privileges, and join in the effort to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace.