What is Spoon Theory?? WTM Montreal 2017 | @jameybash A social metaphor for how much energy we each have in a day The key to Spoon Theory = You have a finite number!
“I wanted something for her to actually hold, for me to then take away, since most people who get sick feel a loss of a life they once knew. If I was in control of taking away the spoons, then she would know what it feels like to have someone or something else, in this case Lupus, being in control.” - Christine Miserandino WTM Montreal 2017 | @jameybash
Physical Illnesses & Disabilities ◦Constant pain is exhausting! ◦Emotional drain of worry ◦Reduced mobility/decreased accessibility ◦Frequent health care WTM Montreal 2017 | @jameybash
Mental Illnesses ◦Constant emotional distress is also exhausting ◦Being told to “get over it!” ◦Can be socially ostracizing ◦Can also be physical WTM Montreal 2017 | @jameybash
Marginalized Groups ◦Being discriminated against sucks! ◦Emotionally dealing with the political climate ◦Having to justify your existence ◦Microaggressions WTM Montreal 2017 | @jameybash “You don’t sound black” “You don’t look transgender” “Where are you from anyway?” “So who’s the guy in your relationship?” “Are you the secretary?”
WTM Montreal 2017 | @jameybash As you can see, privilege is a factor! Just because you have privilege, it doesn’t mean your life can’t be hard sometimes! But it isn’t hard BECAUSE you have privilege. It’s hard EVEN THOUGH you have it.
Managing your employees’ spoons ◦Productivity – everyone needs energy to do their best work ◦Empathy – you care about them (I hope!) & want them to lead fulfilling lives WTM Montreal 2017 | @jameybash
Spoons vs Agile Methodology WTM Montreal 2017 | @jameybash • Velocity – an intangible unit of measurement • Prioritizing your team dynamic • Your employees are your #1 resource!
Lessening your employees’ burdens ◦Recognize that their health is more important than their work ◦Provide adequate health care! ◦Treat mental illness as an illness ◦Make accessibility a priority, not an afterthought WTM Montreal 2017 | @jameybash
Fostering a diverse & tolerant workplace ◦ Actions speak louder than words ◦ Don’t demand that minorities do all the diversity work! ◦ But do listen to your underrepresented employees and believe their stories ◦ Don’t tolerate crappy behavior! WTM Montreal 2017 | @jameybash
Recommended reading/watching! ◦ The original Spoon Theory essay by Christine Miserandino - https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ ◦ Your Invisible Illness Is Valid by Sam Escobar - https://femsplain.com/your- invisible-illness-is-valid-f33f85f18dc3 ◦ That Time You Failed To Follow Up On Diversity by Melissa Nightingale - https://mfbt.ca/that-time-you-failed-to-follow-up-on-diversity- cd701f52da6c?gi=dd80985b40fb ◦ Monitoring The Health of Your Self by Mary Thengvall - http://confreaks.tv/videos/codedaze2016-monitoring-the-health-of-your-self ◦ The Quest for the Rainbow Bagel by Zach Anner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhpUJRGrZgc WTM Montreal 2017 | @jameybash
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