Lately, my posts focusing on microaggressions have sparked awareness, prompting many to acknowledge their previous unfamiliarity with this terminology.
Simply, they are subtle behaviours that have been ingrained into society for centuries. And because they’re so ingrained, most people don’t even realise that they exist. That they are part of their biases, or the reason why they are holding you back.
These damaging behaviours, erode self-confidence and make you feel like an outsider.
Today, we look at the big picture of what happens when someone feels and is treated as an outsider:
Individual Impact:
Decreased Confidence and Self-Esteem: You’ll begin doubting your abilities, questioning your worth and feeling you don’t belong.
Isolation and Alienation: You’re hesitant to engage with colleagues, resulting in a lack of social connections and support networks.
Imposter Syndrome: The persistent outsider feeling, can fuel imposter syndrome, making you believe you’re not as competent as your peers and your achievements are mere luck or circumstance.
Stress and Burnout: The stress of constantly feeling excluded or misunderstood can contribute to burnout.
Team Dynamics:
Communication Breakdown: feeling like an outsider, they’ll hesitate to share opinions or ideas openly, leading to missed opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
Reduced Team Cohesion: Team cohesion relies on a sense of belonging and shared purpose; Weakening the overall unity and leads to silos within the organisation.
Inefficiencies and Missed Contributions: Outsiders, withhold their valuable insights and ideas. Hindering problem-solving and the team’s overall performance.
Company Culture:
Inclusion Challenges: A company that doesn’t address feelings of being an outsider can struggle with building an inclusive culture. This can affect recruitment, employee retention and diversity initiatives.
Reputation Damage: Negative experiences can spread through word of mouth or online platforms, damaging the company’s reputation as an inclusive and welcoming employer.
Innovation and Creativity: An inclusive work environment encourages diverse perspectives, which fuels innovation.
Bottom Line:
Performance Impact: When employees feel like outsiders, their performance will suffer due to reduced confidence, engagement and motivation.
Talent Drain: If the company doesn’t address these issues, they will lose talented employees who seek a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
Financial Costs: High turnover, reduced productivity and a negative reputation can result in financial losses for the company.
To mitigate these negative consequences, companies need to foster an inclusive culture where all employees feel valued and appreciated.
Join Lesley Benson and me for the free 90-Minute Masterclass:
“Harness Your Power Through Understanding Microaggressions.”
