ConFoo 2021 - ASMR in the workplace

ConFoo 2021: https://confoo.ca/en/yul2021/session/the-other-kind-of-asmr-ally-sponsor-mentor-role-model

Nurture yourself and your career with ASMR: allies, sponsors, mentors and role models. In this talk we will delve into these supporting characters of your career life: what they are and aren't, what this support network can offer you, and why these relationships matter.

Everyone has a story to share, don't let impostor syndrome talk you out of it! We'll cover that and what's in it for you, so that *you* too can inspire positive growth in others.

Transcript

1. ASMR IN THE WORKPL ACE: ALLIES, SPONSORS, MENTORS AND ROLE MODELS K I M - A D E L I N E M I G U E L ( S H E / H E R ) @ K I M A D E L I N E _ M CONFOO 2021
2. INTRODUCTION • Support network for your career • Opportunities for personal growth while inspiring others • What does this talk have to do with ASMR ! • Go through the slides at your own pace: aka.ms/confoo-asmr @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
3. ALLYSHIP ! I T I S N OT A B O U T A H A S H TA G . @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
4. WHAT IS IT? WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? • Advocating for the interests of an underrepresented or marginalized group • Benefits: amplify minoritized voices (you are not alone), diversity of thought, less churn from people leaving an exclusionary workplace • Short story: Microsoft’s “In need of assistance” email thread @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
5. BECOMING A BETTER ALLY • Culture of inclusion and accountability • At your workplace: employee resource groups, culture training, recruiting and hiring efforts • Be genuinely curious about others • Examine your own assumptions and biases (it will be uncomfortable) • Beware of white knighting and performative allyship • Ask for pointers, self-education is key @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
6. SPONSORSHIP " C A R E E R S P O N S O R S , N OT PAT R E O N S P O N S O R S . @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
7. WHAT IS IT? WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? • A mutually beneficial relationship where a senior person will leverage their network and power to advocate for and provide opportunities to a more junior person • Sponsored: access to connections, influence and opportunities you wouldn’t have had by yourself (or maybe it would have taken a while) • Sponsor: an ear closer to the floor, solidify their network, pass forward opportunities that they can’t or won’t handle to somebody reliable @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
8. FINDING A SPONSOR • Assess yourself: what do you bring to the table? • Remember, mutually beneficial relationship: Set expectations, be proactive in keeping your sponsor in the loop • Where to start? Ask your manager for opportunities for you to perform and show results • Be aware of similarity bias @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
9. MENTORSHIP # K N OW L E D G E V E S S E L S . @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
10. WHAT IS IT? WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? • A more senior person who will offer advice, guidance and knowledge from their point of view • Can take multiple forms: 1:1, mentoring rings, buddy system • Learn from the experiences and perspectives of others, keep in touch with what’s going on outside of your own career bubble • Not mutually exclusive: you can be a mentee and a mentor at the same time, for different audiences @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
11. BECOMING A MENTEE OR A MENTOR • Existing initiatives at your workplace, local meet-up groups, online communities, university mentoring programs, conferences… • Talk to people who you know are involved • Impostor syndrome: we all have a story to tell @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
12. ROLE MODELS ✨ G E T I N S P I R AT I O N R O L L I N G . @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
13. WHAT IS IT? WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? • Somebody whom you look up to: values they stand for, work they get to do, skills they possess, or even their career trajectory • Helps you shape your own goals and milestones • Learn how they did it, what went well, what could have gone better, whom they connected with • It’s okay to have several role models @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
14. FINDING A ROLE MODEL • Assess yourself: what do you want to do or be? • Find somebody at work, on Twitter, in a community you’re in… • Ask them! What’s the worst that could happen? • As formal as you want: one-time coffee chat, regular check-ins @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
15. AREN’T THEY ALL THE SAME? TL;DR Allies Sponsors Mentors Role models … are… colleagues senior colleagues people with experience cool people … have… privilege influence insights achieved goals you set for yourself … give… support to minoritized groups opportunities perspectives inspiration … are defined by… others themselves* *when offering to sponsor themselves* *if in a formal setting others @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021
16. THANK YOU % S L I D E S : A K A . M S / C O N F O O - A S M R @kimadeline_m ConFoo 2021