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Continue reading →: Being the Only One in the Room: The Minority Professional ExperienceThe experience of being the only member of a demographic group in a professional setting creates unique psychological challenges, known as solo status. This status can lead to heightened self-consciousness and a sense of belonging uncertainty. Additionally, individuals often face unofficial responsibilities to represent their group, contributing to emotional labor…
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Continue reading →: Why People-Pleasing Is a Professional TrapPeople-pleasing in professional settings often masks underlying issues, leading to burnout and resentment. This behavior stems from childhood experiences of conditional approval and is reinforced by workplace hierarchies. While initially beneficial, it results in overwhelming workloads and a loss of authenticity. Setting healthy boundaries fosters honest communication and preserves well-being.
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Continue reading →: The Things Your Younger Self Needed Someone to SayThe author reflects on early career uncertainties and shares insights for professional growth. Key points include accepting that initial discomfort and lack of knowledge are normal, prioritizing learning over prestige, recognizing discomfort as valuable information, understanding that relationships are central to work, and realizing that individuals need to assert their…
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Continue reading →: The Mental Load of Managing a Chronic Illness ProfessionallyThe author shares their experience with managing rheumatoid arthritis in a professional setting, highlighting the cognitive load and mental exhaustion that accompany chronic illness. They discuss the challenges of disclosure, balancing visibility with perceived capability, and introduce the spoon theory to illustrate energy management. Organizations can support by fostering safe…
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Continue reading →: The ‘Good Girl’ Conditioning and How It Shapes Career DecisionsMany women navigate their careers influenced by internalized societal rules about being helpful and agreeable, often prioritizing others’ needs over their own goals. This conditioning leads to difficulties in negotiation and self-advocacy. However, awareness can help unlearn these behaviors, enabling women to pursue their true desires and ambitions.
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Continue reading →: The Real Lessons of a Psychology DegreeThe psychology degree experience differs from the prospectus version, highlighting uncomfortable self-reflection and the challenge of empathizing with others’ distress. Learning to acknowledge feelings without immediate solutions is vital, as is balancing empathy with clear observation. This training impacts professional roles, especially in HR, emphasizing the importance of attentive support.
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Continue reading →: Understanding Workplace Dynamics Through Psychology PlacementThe author reflects on their unexpected journey into HR during a psychology placement, where they observed team dynamics and the disparity between perceptions and experiences in the workplace. This exposure taught them to recognize underlying issues, such as psychological safety and unresolved conflicts, which would influence their HR practice in…
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Continue reading →: What Psychology Taught Me About Reading a RoomThe author reflects on their journey from studying non-verbal communication to applying those insights in HR. They emphasize the importance of noticing subtle cues during conversations, especially in grievance investigations, and holding space for complexity and ambiguity in human emotions. Genuine attention can significantly enhance communication quality.
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Continue reading →: Disclosing a Health Condition at Work: When and HowDisclosing a chronic health condition to an employer is a significant and personal decision influenced by various factors, including workplace culture and legal protections. In the UK, disclosure isn’t mandatory unless it impacts job performance. Consideration for adjustments and proactive communication can facilitate support, making the conversation an ongoing process…
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Continue reading →: You’re Not Actually ListeningEffective listening in HR is often misunderstood. While people may hear sounds, true listening is an active process of understanding. Many default to formulating responses instead of engaging with discomfort. Active listening, which includes reflecting emotions and asking open questions, yields valuable insights and fosters better communication, especially during difficult…
essays on work, psychology & life
by Bruna Batista
Where psychology meets the everyday reality of work.
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