Join the Mission - Let's Change the Conversation in the Workplace
Welcome to Career Civility -- a personal, human approach to changing the conversation in the workplace -- through Civil Communication.
My name is Jenna Rogers and I am a product of a bi-racial, bi-political (and some days bi-functional) family. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, I learned how to chameleon under my mixed identity privilege.
Growing up, I learned how to camouflage around people who were unaccepting. I learned how to fit into the expected status quo. And I learned how to observe the world around me - both the beauty and the turmoil.
By the time I entered the workforce, I had meticulously learned how to maneuver between my race and my privilege.
My first experience in corporate America was an experience of conformity, bias, and discrimination all wrapped up into a bow of professionalism. I learned to always wear heels, always have a full face of makeup on, never wear my hair in a ponytail and to be content with being one of two black employees in the office.
I was almost proud I could fit into the mold. I fit in. I was accepted. And that was success to me.
Over the years, I decided that was not enough. Fitting into the mold was not enough and I had a voice bubbling up inside me that I wanted to let loose. So I went back to school, earned my Masters of Science in Communication from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois and that is why I am here talking to you today.
I strongly believe that ‘business as usual’ does not need to be ‘business as usual’. Business can encompass, fortify, and cultivate environments of inclusion, of disagreement, of beauty, of hardship, of support, and of success. We are programmed to believe we need to live in a world of ‘either or’. We work hard OR we are restful. We are successful OR we fail. But I am here to tell you that we can live in a world of ‘both and’. We are both hardworking AND we know when to take breaks. We can be a success AND we can learn from our failures.
Changing the conversation in the workplace is not an easy task. But I believe that by cultivating Civil Communication -- the practice of communicating productively while understanding the humanity of the other person -- we can ignite change with every conversation we have both inside and outside the workplace.
By working with Career Civility, you will learn how to:
Understand and communicate your why (why do you show up for work every day? Why do people want to work for and with you every day?)
Communicate more effectively (how can you produce better results and relationships in the workplace?)
Be a better business leader with a human first approach (because the people are the reason behind every successful business).
And what return will that yield for you?
Positive relationships between managers and employees
Retention of clients and $$$
A more productive and harmonious workplace
Resources that drive a more profitable bottom line
Each week you can expect tactical and practical communication tips whether you are communicating via email, at a family dinner, or in the boardroom.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for believing in and contributing to the mission of changing the conversation in the workplace. We can do this. One conversation at a time.
— Jenna
