Narrative Counts…
Many recent studies have highlighted how women in the workforce have been negatively impacted since the Covid-19 pandemic began. It has not only affected women in terms of employment loss, but also related to their overall health and wellbeing. This is more than true in energy sector, where according to an International Renewable Energy Agency study Renewable Energy: A Gender Perspective, women represented 22% of traditional energy sector in pre-Covid era. This percentage is anticipated to have dipped during the pandemic.
If you are a woman who found herself navigating this situation or is supporting a fellow colleague dealing with additional stress in balancing professional and personal issues, now is a good time to remember that our inner narratives have a huge role to play in how to address these times of transition.
Inner narratives are the conversations that we have with ourselves and, ultimately, can impact our conversations with others. If we have a habit of constantly doubting ourselves, it is reflected in how we speak to others. “I am not sure but….”, “I might be wrong but I wish to convey that……” or “……. Please correct me if I am wrong”. While many of us would comfortably label such statements as being humble, humility does not come at the cost of one’s confidence. In short, the way we talk to ourselves is often how the world might perceive us.
Positive self-talk can be the first step towards changing your narrative.
Take Anne, for example. After many failed attempts at finding a job, Anne is on her way to yet another job interview. Suddenly, her inner voice exclaims,
”How is this going to be different from previous ones?”
“I am not supposed to think this way.” She anxiously pushes the impulse down.
“But, what really makes you think that you will get through this time?”
Fear grips her as beads of sweat start appearing on her forehead.
Suppressing the inner voice definitely doesn’t help. In fact, it bounces back stronger and pulls us down. So, Anne tries something else. She drinks some water and focuses on her breath.
“Oh, I hear you. There is space for you and there is space for my wise voice too.” She acknowledges her negative narrative and opens her mind. Most importantly, she shows compassion towards herself. She mentally notes how learnings from failed interviews can aid her in acing this one. Self-awareness followed by acknowledgement and compassion opens our minds to possibilities and opportunities.
When one finds herself in a web of negative self-talk, ask, “Would you say the same to a friend?” Most probably not. Or, “How would my role model, mentor (or may be my aspirational self) act if they were in my situation?” Stepping back can make us observers of our situation and see a bigger picture.
Finally, leveraging the power of communities is a great tool to change our narratives. During uncertain times, most people tend to believe that others are living perfect lives that may be better than our own. Communities create a safe and non-judgmental space that breaks this notion. Communities that inspire and motivate us allow us to be vulnerable and authentic. That is why, sharing our experiences and listening to others can be a source of reinforcing positive change in how we talk to ourselves.
Lean In Energy is one such community that is on a mission to empower women in energy to achieve their ambitions. By bringing in distinguished speakers to address topics that matter the most to those facing layoffs, additional stress and greater workloads, we circle around each other virtually to develop resilience, navigate career transition, build a personal brand, break habits that hinder our career progression and become authentic leaders and mentors. Throughout all, Lean In Energy aims to nurture positive inner dialogues that fuel bold actions.
At Lean In Energy, we know that abundance is created from within. What happens mentally and emotionally determines how the world recognizes us . The good news is that each one of us is capable of bringing forth our best selves to achieve our highest potential.
This article is inspired by Kim A. Page’s powerful session on Storytelling as a part of her ‘Right Kind of Loud Online’ course. Kim A. Page’s book “The Right Kind of Loud: Finding Your Communication Voice” is part of the curriculum at several business schools.
Renewable Energy: A Gender Perspective Click Here
