Review
Rocking the Boat dives into the culture of the workplace. It discusses how the relationship between culture and identity when working with others. The book goes into detail about the social identity theory on how we perceive ourselves based on the groups we identify with and how that is compared to cultures and groups in the workplace. The behaviors and practices that prevail in the corporate cultures often mirror the dominant group at the expense of the minority group. People that are not part of the majority are pressured into conforming to be a part of the majority at the expense of their own identity or be considered an outsider. The term, “tempered radical,” is used to define to what extent a person conforms to the culture in the workplace. Age, sex, sexual orientation, religious background, racial background, personal identity can cause for a person to feel as an outsider if not part of the dominant group. Also, cultural and stylistic along with personal values can cause tension in a workforce. The book then goes into different situations in which a tempered radical may be forced to act on their difference from the norm. One option is a more passive aggressive notion in which you resist quietly, but do not give in to your true self. When confronted with an issue, you can divert the topic by using humor or delaying response. It can be tough and challenging for tempered radicals to thrive in a workforce, but if they stay grounded and focused can be truly successful. Fears of being fired due to nonconforming lurk opposed to opportunities for diversity and change. With all of these things at hand, the workforce can have a strong impact one’s identity, career, and life.
How Am I Different?
After working several different jobs, and seeing a variety of different work places, I feel that I fit into two of the groups. Sometimes, I feel that my different social identity from the majority is a reason to set me apart and exclude me from the mainstream. Other times I feel that my different social identity is not a basis for exclusion. Throughout my years of jobs and careers, I have been put into positions that has put my social identity on the outs from working in a blue-collared field, to an elderly populated field, to an African American workforce, to a workforce with majority women. Sometimes I feel as though differences exclude me from conversations, relating, and values. Other times my differences do not exclude, but include me in ways unexpected. For the most part, I would not let my differences affect me and would pursue the work that I needed to get done. Sometimes, I felt as though my social identity and my job would clash and sometimes it was hard to stay true to my social identity and values.
Becoming a Tempered Radical
As of now, I see myself as a “resisting quietly and staying true to one’s self” type of tempered radical. In the workforce, there are ones that are seen as leader’s and continuously recognized for their greatness and accomplishments. At my stage in career, I am working towards that status. To be seen as a leader and asset to all. In my eyes, in order to get there, I must not let my differences be known. I need to keep those on the side so they do not get in the way of my successes. My goal one day would be to organize collective action. The confidence and embrace of my tempered radicalism will have to be much greater than it is now. I feel with time and confidence of my abilities in my career that I will be able to see these changes and also make some changes in myself.
Facing Challenges
There are a few challenges I feel that I face. The first is the incremental lure of co-optation. My willingness to conform to the majority sometimes takes a toll on my. I feel as though I have been compromising some of my values which brings me stress and anger. Another challenge I continuously face is my fear of potential damage to my reputation. I do not want my reputation tarnished or seen in a dark light. It can be hard and challenging to keep my reputation up to my standards. When my social identity can sometimes compromise my reputation. This along with frustration and burnout can create many tough obstacles to overcome. There are days that I question if I am in the right profession, working with the right people, and happy with my practice. Sometimes I question am I working hard enough and is it seen by others the amount of energy and time I devote to my profession. Sometimes I ask myself, can I see myself here in 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years. And sometimes it is challenging to answer those questions.
Rocking the Boat dives into the culture of the workplace. It discusses how the relationship between culture and identity when working with others. The book goes into detail about the social identity theory on how we perceive ourselves based on the groups we identify with and how that is compared to cultures and groups in the workplace. The behaviors and practices that prevail in the corporate cultures often mirror the dominant group at the expense of the minority group. People that are not part of the majority are pressured into conforming to be a part of the majority at the expense of their own identity or be considered an outsider. The term, “tempered radical,” is used to define to what extent a person conforms to the culture in the workplace. Age, sex, sexual orientation, religious background, racial background, personal identity can cause for a person to feel as an outsider if not part of the dominant group. Also, cultural and stylistic along with personal values can cause tension in a workforce. The book then goes into different situations in which a tempered radical may be forced to act on their difference from the norm. One option is a more passive aggressive notion in which you resist quietly, but do not give in to your true self. When confronted with an issue, you can divert the topic by using humor or delaying response. It can be tough and challenging for tempered radicals to thrive in a workforce, but if they stay grounded and focused can be truly successful. Fears of being fired due to nonconforming lurk opposed to opportunities for diversity and change. With all of these things at hand, the workforce can have a strong impact one’s identity, career, and life.
How Am I Different?
After working several different jobs, and seeing a variety of different work places, I feel that I fit into two of the groups. Sometimes, I feel that my different social identity from the majority is a reason to set me apart and exclude me from the mainstream. Other times I feel that my different social identity is not a basis for exclusion. Throughout my years of jobs and careers, I have been put into positions that has put my social identity on the outs from working in a blue-collared field, to an elderly populated field, to an African American workforce, to a workforce with majority women. Sometimes I feel as though differences exclude me from conversations, relating, and values. Other times my differences do not exclude, but include me in ways unexpected. For the most part, I would not let my differences affect me and would pursue the work that I needed to get done. Sometimes, I felt as though my social identity and my job would clash and sometimes it was hard to stay true to my social identity and values.
Becoming a Tempered Radical
As of now, I see myself as a “resisting quietly and staying true to one’s self” type of tempered radical. In the workforce, there are ones that are seen as leader’s and continuously recognized for their greatness and accomplishments. At my stage in career, I am working towards that status. To be seen as a leader and asset to all. In my eyes, in order to get there, I must not let my differences be known. I need to keep those on the side so they do not get in the way of my successes. My goal one day would be to organize collective action. The confidence and embrace of my tempered radicalism will have to be much greater than it is now. I feel with time and confidence of my abilities in my career that I will be able to see these changes and also make some changes in myself.
Facing Challenges
There are a few challenges I feel that I face. The first is the incremental lure of co-optation. My willingness to conform to the majority sometimes takes a toll on my. I feel as though I have been compromising some of my values which brings me stress and anger. Another challenge I continuously face is my fear of potential damage to my reputation. I do not want my reputation tarnished or seen in a dark light. It can be hard and challenging to keep my reputation up to my standards. When my social identity can sometimes compromise my reputation. This along with frustration and burnout can create many tough obstacles to overcome. There are days that I question if I am in the right profession, working with the right people, and happy with my practice. Sometimes I question am I working hard enough and is it seen by others the amount of energy and time I devote to my profession. Sometimes I ask myself, can I see myself here in 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years. And sometimes it is challenging to answer those questions.