Exploring Career Resilience: Recap from the DIO’s Bookclub Discussion Featuring Dr Helen Ofosu
Exploring Career Resilience: Recap from the DIO’s Bookclub Discussion Featuring Dr Helen Ofosu
On April 11, 2024, Materiel Group’s Diversity and Inclusion Office hosted a book club conversation on "How to be Resilient in Your Career: Facing Up to Barriers at Work," featuring the esteemed author, Dr. Helen Ofosu, an award-winning psychologist renowned for her insights into workplace dynamics.
The event explored the concepts of professional resilience, particularly addressing the root cause of impostor syndrome, a phenomenon pervasive in the workplace. Dr. Helen broke down this phenomenon, showing how it manifests as both an internal struggle of self-doubt and external pressures imposed by societal norms and biases. Through her apt explanations, attendees gained an understanding of impostor syndrome’s detrimental effects on career progression.
The Book Club discussion likewise centred on the concept of micro-kindness—a notion encapsulating the power of small gestures in fostering inclusivity and belonging in the workplace. Members were inspired to embrace micro-kindness as a proactive strategy to counteract the corrosive impact of microaggressions and cultivate a culture of compassion and support. Such lessons advance the Defence Team, mobilising members as co-conspirators of change within the workplace.
Indeed, through engaging with Dr. Helen’s brilliant insights, members were able to build their resilience toolkit. The book enables deciphering the telltale signs of a challenging workplace as well as teaching to recognise when change is necessary in one’s current position. These invaluable insights are geared towards empowering professionals in navigating their careers within the public service. Fundamentally, as Dr. Helen emphasised, it is important to stay true to oneself, prioritising authenticity over conformity and cultivating meaningful relationships. These are true drivers for revolutionary change and progress in the office.
In addition to addressing the pinnacles of workplace culture change, Dr. Helen also addressed the significance of mentorship and sponsorship as tools for dismantling barriers within the Defence Team and Federal Public Service. Barriers manifest in different ways, and marginalised groups face barriers at disproportionately high rates. This fact underscores why it is important for leaders to support mentorship and sponsorship programs. And in the same vein, members are encouraged to join networks and cultivate relations with mentors/mentees to bolster professional growth. As Dr. Helen said, “ it's not usually the smartest person who becomes successful at their jobs, but rather, it's usually the ones who build great relationships.”
The discussions were generative and inclusive, enabling participation, as well as understanding how to achieve success and build resilience in the workplace. Materiel Group's Diversity and Inclusion Office had not merely facilitated a book club event; they had orchestrated a transformative experience for all, igniting courageous conversations that invited contributions from diverse members.
In a world characterised by perpetual flux and uncertainty, Materiel Group's commitment to nurturing resilience stands as a beacon of hope—a testament to their unwavering dedication to fostering an inclusive and empowering workplace environment. As individuals armed with the tools of resilience and empowered by a community of support, the future holds boundless opportunities for growth, fulfilment, and collective success.