Bring Your Whole Self To Work

Even though things are much “better” these days in terms of our ability to gather with others, travel, go into the office, and more…it still feels weird in so many ways, doesn’t it?  As I speak to people, leaders, and teams throughout the country and world, I’m hearing a lot about exhaustion, awkwardness, and difficulty, given all that we’ve been through the past few years.  On this episode, I talk about some of the messy and confusing aspects of life and work right now…and some specific things we can do to support ourselves and others as we continue to navigate these uncertain times. Resources: We’re All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram

At 44, Sarah McDonald was newly married, newly promoted, and planning pregnancy. It felt like a time of new beginnings in her life when suddenly she was diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer. Two months later she was diagnosed with another, unrelated cancer.  Ten years later, Sarah is healthy, the mother of a beautiful daughter, and the author of a brand-new memoir called The Cancer Channel: One Year, Two Cancers, Three Miracles.  In our conversation, Sarah and I talk about her remarkable journey, how leaders can most effectively support their team members when they are going through hard things, the power of perspective, and more. Resources: We’re All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram The Cancer Channel Website The Cancer Channel (book) on Amazon Podcast interview with Sarah from 2017

This is the 300th episode of this podcast.  As a way of acknowledging this milestone, I reflect back on some of the journey over the past six years - both with the show and my work, and with all that has happened in the world. I also discuss the importance of marking occasions in our lives and our work, and the impact celebration has on us personally and collectively.    Resources: We’re All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram The Importance of Celebrating (blog post)

I was quoted in a recent New York Times op-ed entitled, “Do Not Bring Your ‘Whole Self’ to Work.”  While I appreciated being mentioned in this piece, as you can imagine, I disagree with it on many levels.  On this episode, I talk about some of the misconceptions and challenges of bringing our whole selves to work.  I also discuss some of the specific reasons why it's important to do so these days. Resources: We’re All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram Do Not Bring Your Whole Self to Work (NY Times op-ed) The Power of Proximity with Tyler Merritt (last week’s interview) What Psychological Safety Looks Like in a Hybrid Workplace (HBR article)

My guest on this episode, Tyler Merritt, believes that proximity breeds empathy…and that with empathy, humanity has a fighting chance. I agree and am so inspired by him, his work, and his books.  Tyler is an actor, activist, founder of the Tyler Merritt Project, and the author of the remarkable memoir, I Take My Coffee Black, as well as the brand new children’s book, A Door Made for Me.  In our wide-ranging conversation, Tyler and I discuss race, religion, inclusion, authenticity, and the importance of proximity. Resources: We’re All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram The Tyler Merritt Project Before You Call the Cops (video) I Take My Coffee Black (book) I Take My Coffee Black (audiobook) A Door Made For Me Jen Hatmaker 

Change may be inevitable, but it definitely can be tricky, especially these days.  Most of us seek and fear change at the same time, which is part of what makes it so complicated to navigate.  On this episode, I talk to my friend and colleague, Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino, about her new book, The Change Guidebook.  Elizabeth shares some specific things we can do to more effectively embrace change and create what we truly want in our work and our life. Resources: We’re All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram Magic Mind (use promo code Together20 for a 20% discount) The Change Guidebook on Amazon Best Ever You

Self-reflection is an important and necessary part of growth.  Self-criticism, while common and understandable, is almost always detrimental to us and those around us.  On this episode, I talk about the important difference between self-reflection and self-criticism, why we can sometimes collapse them together, and ways we can truly create positive change.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram Self Improvement vs. Self Acceptance (blog post)

Trust and surrender are two things that I’ve found challenging for much of my life.  I’ve recently been reminded of both the difficulty and importance of both of these…and have been working on embracing them more deliberately.  On this episode, I talk about why trust and surrender can be so hard, especially these days.  I also discuss how essential they are for our own wellbeing, as well as the health and success of our relationships, families, and teams.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram Acceptance, Surrender, and Embracing Powerlessness (podcast episode) Embracing Powerlessness (blog post) The Importance of Surrender and Gratitude (podcast episode) Embracing Powerlessness (medication audio)

I’ve often thought of vigilance as just a more intense version of discipline.  And while there is some truth to this in a practical sense, as I’ve been unpacking it more for myself recently, I’m now realizing that there’s a big difference between these two which is important for us to understand.  On this episode, I talk about this essential distinction and how we can shift from fear-based vigilance to choice-based discipline.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram

For a number of reasons, especially these days, it’s easy to feel like we’re alone.  When things get hard, scary, and even painful, many of us, myself included, have a tendency to judge and isolate ourselves.  However, one of the best things we can do when things are challenging (and even when they aren’t), is to remember that we’re not alone and to reach out to those around us.  On this episode I talk about how easy it is for us to feel alone right now, even though that’s not usually the case.  I also offer some specific things we can do to stay connected to one another and to make sure the groups we’re a part of are as healthy as possible in this regard.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram You Are Not Alone (blog post) Challenge Day 

I’ve been dealing with some setbacks recently - both personally and professionally.  I’m also aware of the collective struggles many people and groups are dealing with these days.  The nature of progress is often messy, and it can be hard to navigate for a number of reasons.  On this episode I talk about this phenomenon and why it can be so challenging.  I also offer some specific things we can do to make our way through setbacks as effectively and compassionately as possible.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram

The level of collective anxiety seems pretty high these days.  The accumulation of stress related to the pandemic, violence, political divisiveness, uncertainty, change, and more can take a real toll on us - individually and collectively.  On this episode, I talk about some of the key reasons we may be feeling anxious these days and some specific techniques we can use to cope with it as best as possible right now - personally and professionally.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram Helping Parents Cope with Anxiety - TV interview

With the United States Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe vs. Wade, I’ve been feeling angry, sad, and deeply concerned about the impact this decision will have.  I’ve also been thinking about the importance and power of choice - both in terms of this specific decision and also in terms of how we react to challenging circumstances.  Viktor Frankl famously said, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.  In our response lies our growth and freedom.”  On this episode I talk about the difficulty and necessity of this concept right now and how we can choose to respond to what’s happening.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram

As a lifelong Golden State Warriors fan I am, of course, fired up that they recently won another NBA championship - their fourth in the past eight seasons.  However, as impressed and excited as I’ve been about their sustained success, what I find most inspiring is the incredible culture they’ve built.  On this episode I talk about some of the key elements of creating a championship team.  And while these things have been and continue to be exemplified by the Warriors, they’re important things we can all utilize within our own teams.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on InstagramThe Keys to Creating a Championship Team (program) What the Golden State Warriors Can Teach Us About Teamwork (podcast episode)

An essential element of any strong team is their ability to lean on one another.  This takes trust, willingness, and safety…it is foundational to individual and collective success.  On this episode I talk about why this is so important, especially these days, and some specific things we can do to lean on those around us, make ourselves available for people to lean on us, and enhance the culture of our teams.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on InstagramI’m Okay, You’re a Brat, by Susan Jeffers

In response to the devastating tragedy last week in Uvalde, TX, I’ve noticed my own tendency to want to blame certain people, groups, and policies (or lack thereof).  I’ve also noticed how much finger pointing and blame seems to be flying around in conversations, on social media, and in society as a whole - related to this mass shooting and in general.  On this episode I talk about why it is both so easy and dangerous to play the blame game.  We also look at how this impacts us at work and at home, and some specific things we can do to shift from blame to accountability, responsibility, and ownership in an authentic and healthy way.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on InstagramLet go of Blame (blog post) Be Careful of the Traps of Blame and Numbness (podcast)

I’m someone who likes plans, goals, and visions.  For us to be successful individually and collectively, both in business and life, effective planning can be essential.  However, when things are challenging and uncertain (and even when they’re not), all we can really do is the next right thing.  On this episode, I talk about this simple but powerful concept - why it can be challenging, and why it is so important, especially these days.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on InstagramGlennon Doyle (website) We Can Do Hard Things (podcast)

Resting and relaxing are two things I enjoy but find challenging to do.  Living in a world that is obsessed with hard work, productivity, and results, it can be difficult for many of us to find the time and feel like we deserve to relax.  On this episode, I talk about some of the specific reasons resting can be hard for us.  I also share some tips for how we can embrace relaxation more effectively…and why it is so important to do so, especially right now.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram

There are a lot of things I don’t understand or know how to do.  However, I sometimes find not knowing to be quite frustrating, vulnerable, and uncomfortable.  On this episode, I talk about why we have a hard time with not knowing, some specific things we can do to embrace this, and what the benefits are of doing so - for us and those around us.   Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram The Power of Not Knowing (Blog Post)

With all of the stress and uncertainty that we’ve been through these past few years (and continue to experience today), it can be challenging to stay grounded.  I’ve noticed my own difficulty to stay calm in the midst of challenges has increased recently.  On this episode, I discuss five specific things we can do to stay grounded, even and especially when things are hard. Resources: We’re All in This Together (new paperback edition), by Mike Robbins Mike Robbins Website Mike Robbins Blog Mike Robbins Podcast Mike Robbins on Facebook Mike Robbins on Twitter Mike Robbins on Instagram Self-Compassion (podcast episode) This Too Shall Pass (blog post) Don’t Freak Out (podcast episode)