logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
39m 57s

Bringing your 'whole self' to work

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

It’s become the mantra of many employers, and the expectation of some employees, but what does bringing your whole or authentic self to work actually mean, and should companies encourage it?

Evan Davis and guests discuss the pros and cons of a workplace culture in which staff share their personal beliefs, politics and vulnerabilities with colleagues. What impact does it have on employee satisfaction and business productivity? And, at a time of great political and cultural polarisation, how do you prevent the ‘whole self’ ethos stirring up trouble?

Evan is joined by:

Nana Berchie, global people director for diversity, belonging and human rights, Arcadis; Octavius Black, founder and CEO, The Mind Gym; Kate Palmer, employment services director, Peninsula UK; Sophia Luu, freelance design researcher and founder of Secrets Worth Sharing.

PRODUCTION TEAM:

Producer: Simon Tulett Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.

(Picture: A woman hiding behind her laptop. Credit: Getty Images)

Up next
Aug 21
Decisions That Made Me: Anthony Eskinazi (JustPark Founder)
When he finished university Anthony Eskinazi was destined for a graduate scheme with a top accountancy firm, but he couldn’t resist a business idea he’d had while trying to get to a baseball game during his gap year. The tech entrepreneur tells Evan Davis how he gave up job secur ... Show More
16m 1s
Aug 14
Decisions That Made Me: Joanna Jensen (Childs Farm Founder)
When an investor pulled the plug on a £3m cash injection for Joanna Jensen’s fledgling business, it could not have come at a worse time. The Childs Farm founder was just about to launch in two of the UK’s biggest high street stores, and was also going through a divorce and moving ... Show More
17m 10s
Aug 7
Decisions That Made Me: Nick Grey (Gtech, Founder and CEO)
When Nick Grey started his cordless vacuum business 20 years ago he took a big risk by handing a lot of control to a much bigger rival. The entrepreneur, who’d designed and built prototypes in his garage, tells Evan Davis about that decision and the moment he knew it had really p ... Show More
16m 58s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2019
Workplace Culture Conflicts
Are you at odds with your company’s culture? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Alicia Tillman, the CMO of SAP. They talk through what to do when your company celebrates one kind of worker and ignores others, everyone seems to fit in but you, or a hard-charging ... Show More
30m 51s
May 2018
Toxic Workplaces
If your workplace is toxic, can you change it? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Nicholas Pearce, an associate professor at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. They talk through how to transform a toxic culture, whether you’re a junior emp ... Show More
38m 47s
Jul 2021
243. What if entrepreneurship isn't the best option for you
The painful truth is that not everyone is cut out to be a business owner. Another hard pill to swallow is that people cling to ideas, and concepts they think will get them ahead. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but my fear through all of this is that people who are lis ... Show More
13m 58s
Nov 2019
Motivating Employees
Has your team checked out? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Richard Boyatzis, a management professor at Case Western Reserve University and coauthor of the book “Helping People Change.” They talk through what to do when a colleague wants the status of a promi ... Show More
28m 55s
Mar 2020
Subversive Employees
Do you have an employee working against you? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Adrian Gostick, an executive coach and author. They talk through what to do when your direct report is creating problems only to fix them, one team member is hoarding knowledge, or ... Show More
32m 38s
Apr 2024
684. Q&AF: Entrepreneurship Expectations, No Support From Family And Friends & Protecting Company From Negativity
In today’s episode, Andy answers your questions about what expectations he got right and wrong about entrepreneurship, how to get ahead when you have zero family and friends support when working towards your goals, and what’s the best way to protect your company’s culture from an ... Show More
38m 40s
May 2021
Who's the Boss?
Workers are now expecting more from their employers beyond a paycheck and benefits. Employees want an employer who lines up with their values outside of work and stands up in the name of justice. And when they don’t, employees are becoming more active about asking their companies ... Show More
41m 13s
Feb 2024
Companies Can Win by Reducing Overwork
Organizations regularly reward devoted workers who put in long hours. At the same time, “always-on” communication spurred by the pandemic and new digital tools encourage workaholism. But research shows that it’s not just individuals who are harmed by overworking. Their employers ... Show More
26m 45s