The "old days" of slavery and the Industrial Revolution may seem distant, but their legacy lingers in today’s work culture. Much of how we work, and how we see ourselves at work, stems from centuries-old systems of oppression, where people were valued not as humans, but as labor. Even now, often without realizing it, we carry the belief that we must prove our worth, hide our true selves, and maintain a "work persona" distinct from who we are outside of our jobs. In this episode, we explore the shared responsibility between individuals and stakeholders in shaping healthier, more human workplaces. We dive into the importance of emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and what it truly means to bring your whole self to work. Plus, I’ll guide you through a practical exercise called "the question gap", that you can start using today to create a greater sense of safety and authenticity at work—one small step toward shedding the artificial "work self" and welcoming more humanness into your professional life.   Chapters: 00:00 Industrial Revolution's Legacy01:52 The Work Persona05:36 Authenticity in the Workplace07:10 Rethinking Professionalism08:33 Exploring Holacracy11:09 Emotions in Work Culture12:16 Meeting Emotional Needs15:55 The Power of Questions17:55 Inviting Humanness to Work