Recently, I attended a seminar on Healing Work Hurt given by Dr. Ashley Dash and McIsiah Kadema. To be honest, the reason I attended was because an organization I help manage, Tokyo Black Professionals, was sponsoring the event.
As an executive and someone who considers themselves satisfied in their career, I did not think “Work Hurt” related to people such as myself. Therefore I intended to listen, and perhaps learn tips I could share with my team and staff in company.
However, as I listened to Dr. Dash explain both the definition of work hurt, and the impact of it, I started to become very aware that work hurt has had a tremendous impact on the decisions I have made in my career. Even though I would honestly say I have a successful career, being completely unaware of something that had such an influence on me, gave me pause.
Work hurt refers to experiences in the workplace that trigger you. Whether they trigger you to feel angry, worn out, or stressed, the impact of these feelings can lead you to decisions which may not be best for you. For example, If you have an oppressive boss, or unfulfilling work environment, you may incorrectly conclude that the “corporate world” is not for you, and turn down an avenue out of reaction and not inspiration.
I realized that I had done this type of thing in my career. There were years where I felt dissatisfied with work and my surroundings and I summed it up to me not being a “corporate” or “business” person. Rather than analyzing my talents, needs, and drive, I was making a decision out of a reaction to pain, and not based on any deep evaluation of truth.
Fortunately, after years of searching I feel I have found my groove and place in the world. However I felt that understanding the definition and impact of “Work Hurt” would have made my journey so much more enjoyable.
But, this was not all I learned about “Work Hurt”. “Work Hurt” can also be the product of your own personal behavior and view of yourself. I won’t get into the details, but one example of a personality type that can product “Work Hurt” is what Dr. Dash the “Mr/Ms Fix-It” persona. Based on her experience, this is common in senior executives in that they are seen (and see themselves) as the problem solvers in their organizations. This in turn produces stress, both externally and internally. This personality is also usually coupled with a feeling of loneliness and isolation as the leader may have no one they can be vulnerable or share their burden with. The result of this is high blood pressure, heart attacks, and suicide.
When Dr. Dash described this personality type, my wife who was sitting next to me, gripped my arm and I nearly gasped because we both immediately realized Dr. Dash was describing me. Until that moment I was not aware that what I would sometimes go through was so common.
The silver lining is that it is also something preventable and solvable. Actually we learned in the seminar how to manage and leverage work heart to help improve and build our careers.
At the end of the session I informed Dr. Dash that my hope is that she could provide this seminar to my company and I implore you to also reach out to Dr. Dash to learn more. It could be the key to reviving your career, your spirit, and perhaps even your life.
You can learn more about my journey in corporate Japan in my book “Reading the Air”
