The Power of Personal Stories

Imagine that your neighbor has gone on vacation and calls you for a favor. “Can you please go to the house, pick up the large package left on my front porch, and bring it your house?” Sounds like a simple request, right? Not if you are a Black teenage boy.

Imagine that you are dressed up for an evening out. You and your husband go to an ATM to get cash. Would you be shocked if the next person in line asked “how much do you charge?” insinuating that you were a “date for hire”? You might not be if you are a young Asian female with a white spouse.

Imagine that you are a parent bringing your three little children into work for the company holiday party. Instead of Santa Claus, your kids get to take photos with your boss dressed up like Frosty the Snowman. Because you are Jewish you are in tears at the thoughtfulness of your boss. That’s my story.

Sharing personal stories can make us feel vulnerable. But if you are willing, providing a glimpse of your lived experiences can create critical openings into the consciousness of co-workers. It moves people to realize that not everyone shares the same privileges, and may foster comfort in others to talk about how it feels to be in the minority. It is especially powerful when leaders are open about their personal experiences. Such leadership can help organizations create environments where we can bring our whole selves to work.