How many of us are guilty of “business casual on the top, pajamas and slippers on the bottom” virtual meetings? For those of us at DABSJ working remotely during the COVID-19 outbreak, the one perk of work-from-home orders is being able to be “ALL YOU, ALL THE TIME.” Through this experience, you may have gotten the opportunity to get to know your peers a little more as meetings move from the office to the living room (with fur-friends and loved-ones debuting every now and then).
This increased sense of openness and connection should be embraced and encouraged to continue, as here at D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s, we encourage you to BE, where the ‘B’ is for ‘Belonging’ and the ‘E’ is for ‘Everyone.’ EVERYONE BELONGS.
Imagine the superhuman you can become when you partner your professionalism with the perks of who you are.
When considering what encompasses who we are, we can look at:
- Strengths & Weaknesses
- Values & Beliefs
- Ethnic/Cultural background
- Hobbies & other misc. attributes
Strengths & Weaknesses - Taking the Good with the Bad
Consider your strengths and weaknesses and how they mold who you are. Owning your flaws lays the groundwork for improvement. What are you good at? What can you work on? Sometimes there are weaknesses within our strengths, and vice-versa. As you reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, consider the resources provided by your workplace that can help. Do you have a strong suit that may be able to aid in the workplace? Do you need to refer to new training to strengthen skills, or indulge in personal and professional development?
Being aware of these attributes can help you improve in operationalizing the values of your workplace. You can see this when trying to operationalize DABSJ’s values:
Exceptional Service – Client focused and teaming at the center of our work.
As you improve, your service improves.
Excellence – Ongoing commitment to learning and improvement.
Your commitment to your own professional growth.
Integrity – Responsibility and ownership of our actions and results.
Self-reflection.
Values & Beliefs - Authenticity Counts
Your values are things that are important to you. Your beliefs are things you believe to be true. Consider how your values and beliefs have changed over time, or have even changed because of things you have been exposed to in the workplace. As important as it is to stay true to your personal values and beliefs, it is just as important to remember that there are those we work with that may have values and beliefs that differ.
To BE at DABSJ, we don’t have to share the same values and beliefs, but we do share the same mission: To help children and empower families by providing safety, advocacy and support. Staying true to your personal beliefs and values embraces DABSJ’s values:
Integrity - Responsibility and ownership of our actions and results.
Embracing the true you.
Passion - Relentless positive energy towards our mission and vision.
Channeling your personal values and beliefs to work toward the mission.
Ethnic/Cultural Background - Unique Collaboration
Your ethnic/cultural background holds a large part of your identity. It is the framework of who you are! Your ethnic/cultural background may come with its own varying values and beliefs that were instilled in you since birth. Our organization encompasses a wide range of identities with a lot of different perspectives. Imagine the diverse collaboration when you add a little piece of your personality into the meeting. Your authenticity, staying true to your beliefs and embracing your ethnic/cultural background embraces our values:
Excellence – Ongoing commitment to learning and improvement.
Transforming personal beliefs, open-mindedness.
Creativity - Imagination, innovation, and intelligent risk taking.
Diverse collaboration.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - All are welcomed, valued and belong.
B is for Belonging. E is for everyone.
Hobbies/Other Misc. Attributes - Unique Contribution
What are you into when you are not at work? You don’t have to completely mask who you are during business hours! Brainstorm ways you can bring those tidbits that make you awesome into the workplace. It is possible for you to incorporate a passion area into your workday! Maybe you dance, play guitar, have professional training of some sort, or simply enjoy helping and volunteering for a cause you’re passionate about. At DABSJ, we have a "Talent Profile" that we ask staff to fill out with their hobbies & interests. Share some of your hobbies & interests with those you work with! You never know what it could lead to.
Values your unique contribution embraces:
Exceptional Service - Client focused and teaming at the center of our work.
Creative ways to reach our clients.
Excellence - Ongoing commitment to learning and improvement.
Your creativity influencing your peers.
Creativity - Imagination, innovation, and intelligent risk taking.
Innovative ways to improve your work environment.
Passion - Relentless positive energy towards our mission and vision.
Using your personal passions to support the mission and vision.
All of these things, your strengths & weaknesses, your values & beliefs, your ethnic/cultural background, and your hobbies and interests all make up who you are as a person. It’s important to bring all of YOU to work because that’s how we can best help the children and families we serve. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without all of YOU.
Interested in joining the DABSJ team? View our careers page here.
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About Mai McKnight
After graduating from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Integrative Public Relations and minor in Event Management, Mai returned to her hometown of Grand Rapids to fulfill her personal mission of advocacy and support for marginalized identities and those who do not have the resources to support themselves. Mai was first introduced to D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s at a young age as family members served as mentors. Joining the team January 2020 as Recruiter felt natural.
When not at work, Mai is a dog mom to a Miniature Schnauzer and Yorkshire Terrier mix (Snorkie!) named Mickey. In her free time, Mai enjoys contemporary dancing, spending time outdoors, adrenaline/thrill-seeking adventures, going on road trips – as the passenger, and creating memories with loved ones. Current quarantine activity: 1000 piece ‘Landscape’ Jigsaw puzzle.