Episode 5: Reimagining Ourselves, Our Lives and Our Work w/ Sarah Spencer
There are times in life when our bodies, our minds and the events we experience bring us to our knees, changing the course our life is taking. Perhaps because of a loss or ending, perhaps because something inside us knows that we are living out of integrity, perhaps because of a new beginning. When those seasons come, we have a choice: we can bury our heads in the sand and push on, or we can surrender and allow ourselves to be changed and transformed.
Today's guest is Sarah Spencer, and in this conversation, she shares some of the experiences that brought her to the brink and beyond, to a season of reimagining who she is, what her work in the world would be, and what her life was going to become. This exploration led her to the work she does now, and to her compelling perspective on why we urgently need to reimagine how we need to be next, individually and collectively.
Sarah is passionate about people and wants to live in a world where we normalise conversations about mental health and wellbeing at work, to give people permission to not be okay and to show up to each other with more compassion, empathy and humanity.
In this conversation, host Elloa and Sarah explore:
Why Sarah does not think of her role at work when asked, 'Who are you?'
The experiences that led to her career and life changing course***
Why we urgently need to reimagine what workplaces are, what they're for, and what every single one of us can do to bring more humanity into our organisations
Whether there is more uncertainty in a post-lockdown world and how the new generation of people coming into the workforce are interrupting business as usual
Why we need to be less hamster and more meerkat – and how to do it day-to-day
The problem with busyness and the power of choice
Self-sacrifice and burnout
And why having better conversations and paying attention to the human condition are key to transforming organisations.
***Please note: we discuss failed IUI, IVF and adoption in this episode as well as workplace bullying. Take care of yourself if these are delicate subjects for you.
Sarah is the Leadership Development and Wellbeing Lead at WaterAid. Connect with her on LinkedIn here.
Resources
Gallup's global engagement stats
For support with infant loss, you may wish to reach out to Lighthouse Therapy Services (this is a personal recommendation by Elloa) or Fertility Network UK.
The Heard Space is hosted by Elloa Phoenix Barbour. Connect with Elloa on LinkedIn or email theheardspace@gmail.com. If you are enjoying the show, please share it with a friend!