Dear EverMore: Welcome to the Pod
Updated: Aug 31
Dear Readers & Listeners,
Many moons ago, my cofounder Kelsey and I created a podcast called—It Stays Between Us. The concept was to be the HR partner others wished they had. Aka spilling all the insider secrets on hiring, performance, leadership, etc.
We ended up being stymied by our roles at the time, so when we started building EverMore, we were ready to resurrect the pod.
Only this time we're calling it Dear EverMore because we want to hear questions and stories from y'all.
This first episode is an introduction into us and a few of the topics we’re always yapping about—our utopian vision for the future of work, the cyclical nature of life and work, and staying authentic even when the workplace is editing you.
The Workplace Is Always Editing You
Authenticity and self-expression are values held by everyone at EverMore. But, what they mean in the workplace is kind of fickle. We've found that companies only reward authenticity until it costs them something.
And self-expression—Well, that's really about being likable and malleable to the company's standards, traditions, and norms. Many of which are arbitrary.
So when companies say "bring yourself to work" they often mean, be yourself as long as it doesn't bother anyone with power. We'll dive into more stories of companies editing their employees, in Episode Five—Career Horror Stories.
Onto The Invisible Boundary
Most of us learn company "norms" the hard way. We step across an invisible boundary, and then we get a proverbial slap on the wrist. So, we curate, mold, and dim ourselves.
Every environment changes us. So, it becomes difficult to separate out who you are versus what’s being created by someone else.
Companies shape more than our work—They influence what we believe about ourselves, and what others believe about us.
Every colleague creates a story about who you are based on what they "know." And all your interactions get interpreted and filtered through that story.
When people are reduced to the stories told about them, it ups the ante on those in power to be careful with their words, snap judgments, and biases. Because the stories we tell are almost always a mix of truth and fiction.
Enter Positive Gossip
One thing I'll forever be harping on is the value of a honest, hard conversation.
Instead of creating an invented reality of assumed intent for the rumor mill, I'd rather leaders just talk to folks 1:1, instead of editing the narrative. So, when I see leaders doing this, I like to practice Positive Gossip.
I go out of my way to say nice things about people, to repeat nice things I've heard, and to tell people all the nice things I've heard about them.
It's always truthful, just intentionally shared to make the rumor mill work for the good, and it does in fact help reshape unfair narratives about others at work.
Employees Want to Feel Safe
Work is personal. It's where we spend a chunk of our time. It's a way to share our talents and craft with the world. And we're dependent on it for survival.
Yet, companies don't just ask for our labor anymore. They ask for our stories, personalities, and identities. They celebrate them when they strengthen the brand, then ask us to edit them when they become inconvenient.
That paradox of be yourself but not too much, leaves employees asking:
Do I belong here? What parts are safe in this company? Should I stay or should I go? How do I handle this?
Dear EverMore Wants to Answer Those Questions
There's never a readymade answer when it comes to your career decisions. But we believe there's a lot to learn from the careers of others, the art of reflection, and of course, hearing all the insight from folks who've been at the table.
These tidbits and more are in the episode. Let us know what you think!
xoxo,
Courtney @ EverMore
Dear EverMore is a new podcast hosted by Courtney Branson & Kelsey Peterson. It explores how work shapes our humanity, identity, and futures. Season one features diary-esque confessions, guest speakers, and career advice plucked from their collective three decades in HR, hiring, and leadership.
