The Longest Day, Ever!

LEADER'S FIELD GUIDE

Quarantined families experience the longest Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day-- EVER, as sharing the workplace experience takes on new meaning.

In the US, the fourth Thursday of April marks Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work (TODASTW) Day. On this day, children of all ages are escorted by a parent or mentor for the purpose of sharing the workplace experience. Marie C. Wilson, Gloria Steinem, and Carolyn McKecuen, who created the concept in 1992, were especially intent on “showing [kids] the value of their education” and “helping them discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life.” In April 2020, sharing the workplace experience took on new meaning.

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, families were quarantined at home for weeks, making 2020’s Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day, the longest day, EVER! The theme for the year was Meet The Workplace Superstars. Participants were encouraged to share how they had “been influenced in their professional roles” with a focus on education planning, self-discovery and bullying prevention.

In honor of TODASTW, consider how you were influenced in your professional role. Think about what you are modeling in your role as parent or mentor?

1. Education Planning: The solutions of ongoing education range from The School of Hard Knocks to vocational/technical schools to 4-year private universities. In addition to return on investment and timing, consider what needs to be learned and the best style of learning for each protégé.
2. Self-Discovery: Oh, how beneficial our acknowledgements are as our children, nieces, and nephews uncover what makes them special. As mentors, we have a unique vantage point from which to affirm apparent needs/values, style/personality, interests/passions, and vision.*
3. Bullying Prevention: BetterHelp suggests bully intimidation may range from subtle to obvious and compensates for insecurities, the need for control, and desire for attention or reward. According to Forbes’ Five Ways To Shut Down Workplace Bullying, prevention specifically addresses the counterculture behavior and offers a choice. For example, change behavior or loose a privilege– keeping your job (and for younger team members— going outside on lunch breaks).

Thanks to Latin Times for these funny TODASTW Day quotes:

• “Sorry, but your child told your boss what you really think.”
• “Now that I’ve seen you explain your job to your child, I realize how little you actually do.”
• “Taking my kid to work will only further reinforce my fear that I can be easily replaced by a six-year-old.”

As we focus on Meet The Workplace Superstars, I encourage you to be the Superstar and continue to mentor Superstars. Take the opportunity to express gratitude for those who have influenced you in a positive way. And, as the longest day EVER eventually comes to an end, may you continue your influence on education planning, self-discovery, and bully prevention.

* I offer a Christ-centered perspective of Life Purpose. My clients combine assessments with coaching to explore milestones/experience, needs/values, style/personality, spiritual gifts/roles, interests/passions, and vision. If you are wondering “What’s next?” let’s talk!

by Michelle Sugerman • Leading Synergies, LLC • © All Rights Reserved

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