WEBVTT

00:00:08.206 --> 00:00:10.913
A micro-action is something
that may seem small

00:00:10.955 --> 00:00:13.676
but has the potential
to have a big impact!

00:00:13.906 --> 00:00:17.099
A microaffirmation is something
that makes people feel included,

00:00:17.110 --> 00:00:18.952
important, and valued.

00:00:19.058 --> 00:00:21.458
This is the opposite
of a microaggression,

00:00:21.495 --> 00:00:25.202
which is something that makes people
feel excluded or not valued.

00:00:25.491 --> 00:00:28.351
Microaffirmations are those
actions and comments

00:00:28.375 --> 00:00:31.851
that show others that you are treating
them with dignity and respect.

00:00:32.354 --> 00:00:33.276
Think about it,

00:00:33.287 --> 00:00:37.240
when was the last time someone stopped
and affirmed an experience you had,

00:00:37.296 --> 00:00:39.422
or invited you into a conversation

00:00:39.432 --> 00:00:42.482
because they valued your
perspective or expertise?

00:00:42.953 --> 00:00:44.090
When they did this,

00:00:44.110 --> 00:00:45.976
how did it make you feel?

00:00:46.245 --> 00:00:49.483
My guess is that you felt
valued and appreciated.

00:00:49.793 --> 00:00:52.722
There are three kinds
of microaffirmations.

00:00:53.412 --> 00:00:54.926
Micro-inclusions.

00:00:55.069 --> 00:00:58.727
This is when you purposefully reach out
to include someone in a meeting,

00:00:58.764 --> 00:01:02.053
conversation, brainstorming
session or event.

00:01:02.203 --> 00:01:04.921
When you do this, you are saying,
you are important,

00:01:04.931 --> 00:01:06.931
and we want your voice to be heard.

00:01:06.981 --> 00:01:08.209
For example,

00:01:08.219 --> 00:01:10.219
"Yin, you understand this data well,

00:01:10.229 --> 00:01:12.034
can you add any insights?"

00:01:12.563 --> 00:01:14.036
Micro-compliment.

00:01:14.305 --> 00:01:18.365
This is a sincere compliment based
on someone's skills or abilities.

00:01:18.382 --> 00:01:19.769
When giving compliments,

00:01:19.779 --> 00:01:23.341
make sure that what you are saying
takes into account the situation.

00:01:23.584 --> 00:01:24.534
For example,

00:01:24.544 --> 00:01:27.831
telling someone "you're
so articulate" after a talk

00:01:27.841 --> 00:01:29.517
may seem like a compliment,

00:01:29.533 --> 00:01:33.847
but often it comes across as expressing
surprise that they are so well spoken.

00:01:33.977 --> 00:01:34.711
Instead,

00:01:34.722 --> 00:01:37.450
complimenting them on the depth
of the presentation,

00:01:37.486 --> 00:01:39.383
their accuracy at reviewing the data

00:01:39.393 --> 00:01:41.043
or some other specific detail

00:01:41.053 --> 00:01:44.060
lets them know that you
appreciate their specific work.

00:01:44.549 --> 00:01:45.938
For example:

00:01:45.948 --> 00:01:49.376
"It is clear you did some deep research
in preparation for the presentation,

00:01:49.392 --> 00:01:50.915
and it clearly showed."

00:01:51.199 --> 00:01:52.060
Or...

00:01:52.070 --> 00:01:53.788
"Your ability to show connections

00:01:53.798 --> 00:01:55.634
among all the different customer issues

00:01:55.657 --> 00:01:58.427
gave me better clarity about
how to move forward."

00:01:59.230 --> 00:02:00.984
Micro-validation.

00:02:01.043 --> 00:02:03.757
We all have different lived experiences.

00:02:03.833 --> 00:02:07.078
Our gender, age, race, ethnicity,

00:02:07.088 --> 00:02:10.086
and disabilities are
all aspects of who we are

00:02:10.096 --> 00:02:12.873
that can impact how other
people interact with us.

00:02:13.256 --> 00:02:16.097
If someone shares with you
an experience that they had,

00:02:16.107 --> 00:02:20.118
listening and being supportive -
validates their experience.

00:02:20.267 --> 00:02:21.558
For example,

00:02:21.573 --> 00:02:24.087
"I am sorry to hear
you had that experience.

00:02:24.118 --> 00:02:26.255
Is there anything I can do to help?"

00:02:26.645 --> 00:02:28.214
While they may seem small,

00:02:28.224 --> 00:02:31.491
microaffirmations have
a big impact on teamwork

00:02:31.501 --> 00:02:33.730
and our relationships with others.

00:02:33.892 --> 00:02:36.805
By highlighting and appreciating
the skills and abilities

00:02:36.815 --> 00:02:38.197
of the people you work with,

00:02:38.207 --> 00:02:41.249
you are helping to build
a stronger team.

00:02:41.465 --> 00:02:43.629
Stronger teams bring better results

00:02:43.639 --> 00:02:46.175
and better results help everyone.

00:02:46.631 --> 00:02:49.069
Stop and think for just a moment,

00:02:49.125 --> 00:02:51.235
who is someone you could lift up today?

00:02:51.311 --> 00:02:53.463
How can you use a microaffirmation

00:02:53.473 --> 00:02:56.733
to show them that they are
an important part of the team?

00:02:56.949 --> 00:02:58.287
Ready to try it out?

00:02:58.317 --> 00:03:00.406
Go and make the workplace
a better place...

00:03:00.433 --> 00:03:02.640
one microaffirmation at a time.