I really enjoyed my episode talking to Carly Cannings, who’s a workplace happiness expert in episode 27 of The Knowing Self Knowing Others Podcast. Carly provides valuable insights into reflective practices, finding purpose in work, and the need for kindness in self-reflection. Here are my top takeaways from our conversation:
You can find meaning and purpose in your work, regardless of seniority. Carly illustrates this by sharing her own journey to a senior leadership role without actively seeking it out. She explains that intentional individuals can find happiness and fulfilment at any level of seniority by aligning their work with their values and passions.
Carly Cannings, The Knowing Self Knowing Others Podcast
How important it is to avoid self-criticism and find a way to reflect on your work, your communication and your behaviour objectively. You can draw on others’ insights and feedback to give you a broader perspective
Carly emphasises the importance of self-reflection with kindness and compassion, highlighting the inherent negativity bias and the need to balance feedback. Carly tails about the significance of noticing and acknowledging your own strengths as part of the self-reflection process, as well as the need to re-center your perception and be kind to yourself.
Carly introduced the “friend test” as a way to approach self-reflection. Ask yourself, ‘what would I say to a good friend in this situation?’. It’s a helpful way of reflecting on your practice with kindness and empathy. Try journalling in the third person as a way of giving yourself greater perspective and objectivity.