Creating a global movement around unhiding
Ruth Rathblott
TEDx Speaker – Bestselling Author – Consultant – Advocate
Many of us have been relegated to video screens and phone calls for interaction for the last 4 years.
Experiencing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
But, for those of us living with invisible and visible differences – this isn’t new.
Hiding and covering our differences from the world, creating our own solutions to overcome barriers, and craving spaces for support and shared experiences is part of our day-to-day life.
Looking for strategies to move us forward? To create connection, authenticity and acceptance? To create space for others’ differences?
Ruth has the answers for your questions.
I truly believe that MOST people in our workforce are hiding.
THIS is why they leave.
THIS is why they don’t embody the brand.
THIS is why they don’t feel fully engaged.
Because they don’t feel like they belong.
They don’t connect fully with co-workers and don’t join the team fully.
They get burned out because they are constantly overcompensating and overachieving to make up for what they are hiding.
They don’t want to go back to work because they got comfortable being home and being able to control their environment.
So what are people hiding?
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are a few things people may hide from others:
- Family background
- Education level
- Learning challenges
- Mental health
- Physical health
- Gender or Sexuality
- Disability
- Neurodiversity
- Marital status
- Accent or stutter
- Age
- Weight
- Financial status
- Religion or politics
- And so much more …
Whether you identify as:
- a leader looking to change the narrative and create a safe place for your people,
- a woman who is hiding your leadership skills, or
- a man hiding your mental health
Hiding affects all of us as it impacts how we see ourselves and how we are able to interact with others because we feel unsafe.
We hide because we’re afraid that we’ll face judgment, stigma, and rejection if others know our secret. We judge and criticize ourselves, which leads to covering up those things we don’t want others to know (because letting people know would only lead to questions and assumptions we don’t feel like answering).
We feel alone, like we’re the only one hiding something.
What can we do? We can start unhiding.
Unhiding can look like:
- Sharing the most vulnerable parts of ourselves with others.
- Having courage and taking risks with psychological safety.
- Being seen, accepted, and authentic.
- Recognizing that our differences are our gifts and make us unique and beautiful. Our differences offer us perspective and the ability to transcend challenges.
- Unhiding allows us to build understanding and empathy for someone else’s challenge.
When we unhide ourselves, we experience:
- Freedom from Judgment: Unhiding offers liberation from the fear of judgment.
- Enhanced Self-Acceptance: Embracing all aspects fosters profound self-acceptance and confidence.
- Deeper Emotional Connections: Unhiding cultivates meaningful, authentic connections in relationships.
- Resilience and Personal Growth: Acknowledging challenges fuels resilience and fosters continuous personal development.
- Mental Clarity and Peace: Unhiding promotes mental clarity, peace, and a genuine sense of inner calm.
- Empowerment Through Vulnerability: Unhiding empowers individuals by embracing vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness.
- Increased Empathy: Sharing emotions fosters empathy, creating a compassionate, understanding environment in relationships.
Unhiding is critical to company culture because when we embrace people’s differences, it allows for creativity and innovation. It allows for leaders to be seen as human. When we embrace unhiding we value different perspectives and experiences.
Ruth Rathblott, MSW is an award-winning CEO
who is committed to creating inclusion for all.
As a former CEO, Ruth brings a wealth of experience around topics crucial to organizational success, such as staff structure, strategic planning, community impact, fundraising, and financial management.
With a unique blend of executive leadership and program development expertise, Ruth shares her profound insights into embracing hidden differences and unlocking individual potential. Drawing from her personal and professional journey, she navigates the complexities of leading through crises, demonstrating that living without limits or labels is not only possible but empowering.
Ruth’s interactive presentations address the unspoken aspects of diversity, including invisible disabilities and the concept of “otherness.” She explores the universal human experience of coping with isolation, the innate need for connection, and the resilience to overcome life’s challenges. Through her authentic storytelling, she illuminates the transformative power of embracing one’s true self, inspiring us to recognize that our differences are, in fact, our greatest gifts.
Whether it’s a keynote, workshop, or fireside chat, Ruth’s presentations are not just another lecture of what you’re not doing. It’s an invitation to look at where you may be hiding in your life and opening the conversation for defining diversity differently.
After I speak, people have three reactions:
- Thank you for not giving me another lecture on diversity and what I am not doing;
- Thank you for sharing your story and allowing me to feel included in the conversation and sharing that you still struggle; and
- How do we start these conversations internally– how do I ask someone about their difference?
If you’re looking for someone to engage your attendees and have them feel seen and heard, while being informative and entertaining. I’d love to come speak at your organization.
Not sure what type of talk is best for your organization? Click the button below and let’s explore what fits best with your current needs.
FIRESIDE CHAT : Leaders Go First
(my most popular offer)
Join us for our Fireside Chat series: “Leaders Go First.” These conversations are thoughtfully crafted to empower your teams to embrace a new, inclusive leadership style. Discover the power of embracing vulnerability and authenticity, not just for executives but for every member of your team. We guide leaders in navigating differences, providing solace to those who may feel isolated, and igniting a passion for equity.
In these intimate conversations, we explore the art of active listening and genuine recognition, fostering a culture where every voice is valued. Employees, from executives to ground-level staff, gain a renewed sense of purpose, leading to enhanced loyalty and retention. By witnessing leaders openly sharing their experiences, employees find solace in knowing they are not alone, breaking the monotony of traditional keynotes.
When employees experience genuine recognition and active listening, they feel truly valued, fostering loyalty and retention. Moreover, authentic connections with customers, where shared experiences and representation matter, enhance the customer experience.
Leaders who embrace authenticity and vulnerability establish deeper trust with their teams, cultivating a more harmonious work environment. When your brand champions every individual’s unique gifts, especially those honed through life’s challenges, it becomes a potent force in the market.
It’s time to break free from outdated leadership paradigms. Empower your executive team with a new leadership model that encourages self-discovery and connection. Watch as engagement, credibility, and trust flourish.
Enhance your experience with optional add-ons, including Unhiding Follow-up Consulting for your executive leaders (30 days post-session) and 3 or 6-month follow-up check-ins with the executive team.
Ready to support your Executive team in a safe, nurturing, and judgment-free environment?
KEYNOTES
Singlehandedly. How a disability showed me what we are all hiding.
As companies and people, we tend to adopt and foster the mentality that there is a norm. A certain way we are supposed to show up in the world and in our companies, and in our market. And if we don’t, as individuals, fit that norm, then we often work really hard to cover it up – to blend in – to overcompensate.
But covering it up turns a crack into a canyon. We assume that our “disability” is something that shouldn’t fit when in truth, it’s actually something that brings value. And we end up hiding what would actually allow us to serve our teams and customers and markets at the highest level. And when we learn to truly diversify our teams, we realize that most of us are hiding something. Come listen to one woman’s journey out of hiding — her unhiding and how it allowed her to become a stronger leader and a more engaged employee.
Today we change the conversation and stop just checking the box on diversity and inclusion to create something that makes our teams and our brand, and its leaders more engaged, productive, and innovative than ever before.
Learning outcomes:
- Understanding the impact of hiding a part of oneself. Participants will learn how hiding can lead to anxiety, self-consciousness, and limit one’s potential for growth and connection.
- Identifying what we hide: By identifying what they are hiding, participants can begin to address any negative feelings associated with hiding and start to move towards acceptance and self-love.
- Creating a culture of openness and inclusivity: By actively listening to others, participants will learn how to create a culture that values diversity and encourages people to be their authentic selves.
Unhide and Thrive: 4 Transformative Steps to Discovering Your Best Self
Living authentically means being able to bring your best self to work. To have the freedom to face challenges, ask for help without fear, and share your experiences to help others.
When we spend so much time hiding parts of ourselves, we become exhausted and feel lonely and isolated.
Are we really performing at our best if we have to expend energy to hide pieces of ourselves while at work?
Ruth shares approaches and action plans to move us forward by owning our differences and creating space for others differences.
Learning outcomes:
- Increased Self-Awareness and Acknowledgment: Participants will learn to identify and acknowledge what they have been hiding, whether it’s personal traits, experiences, or unique characteristics. This outcome will help individuals understand the importance of self-awareness in personal growth and professional success.
- Building Inclusive Communities: Attendees will gain insights into the significance of building a diverse and inclusive community. They will learn how to identify and invite others in, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and accepted for their authentic selves. This learning outcome will highlight the benefits of collaboration and mutual support in the workplace.
- Understanding of the profound impact of hiding and unhiding on personal and professional lives.
Ready to start the collective journey of acceptance?
Ruth can deliver this talk in either a condensed 20-30 minute presentation format or a 45-60 minute presentation with Q&A format.
A few attendee insights:
- There are far more persons with disabilities than I realized.
- Diversity is important and you can’t always see someone’s disability.
- You really never know what a person is going through unless you listen to them and realize, ‘I might prejudge a person or situation in error’.
- This was an amazing session! I had no idea of how much people hide! Thank you so much Ruth!
- Diversity is more expansive than originally thought.
- Most people are hiding something. I’m not alone.
WORKSHOPS
Ruth’s workshops explore the profound shift from the antiquated model of leadership to a refreshing, forward-thinking approach.
In the old school model, leaders often shied away from vulnerability, maintained an emotional distance, and prioritized performance over people. This created a negative work culture where fear of mistakes and the pressure to overachieve prevailed, leaving employees feeling unsupported.
Our new leadership paradigm, in stark contrast, prioritizes psychological safety, embraces diverse perspectives, and provides tailored support to team members. Leaders are seen as loyal, fostering genuine connections and trust. We’re dedicated to reshaping workplace culture, allowing individuals to bring their authentic selves to work.
This transformation is a two-way street. Leaders must lead the way by unearthing their true selves and creating a safe space for diverse experiences and viewpoints. Employees, in turn, engage in this journey, collectively building a culture of trust and collaboration.
At the heart of our workshops lies the courage to have those tough conversations, yielding profound results. Hiding and overcompensating in leadership perpetuates a toxic environment – a cycle we aim to break.
Ruth currently offers 2 workshops that will empower you and your team as you embrace a shift in your organization’s culture:
The C.U.R.E. to Inclusion Workshop
Ready to have a conversation around Inclusion, but not sure where to start or what that looks like?
Ruth leads attendees in personal reflection and small group activities that encourages them to explore 4 dimensions of Inclusion.
Connection – how do we build attachment and display humanity?
Understanding – how do we create safe places for conversations about difference?
Representation – how do we ensure that everyone has a seat at the table?
Empathy – are we fostering a workplace with allies and ambassadors?
And how does all of this relate to our human need for belonging?
This workshop addresses these questions … and more!
Inclusion as Part of Talent Life Cycle: The 3 Rs
Join our 90-minute workshop, tailored specifically for HR and DEI Leaders.
In this session, we’ll explore the pivotal role HR leaders play in inclusion and belonging throughout the talent life cycle, encapsulated by the 3 Rs: Recruit, Retain, and Release.
Discover how Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) can be a powerful tool in advancing all three Rs, fostering a workplace culture that values and supports employees.
Don’t miss this opportunity to drive meaningful change and enhance your organization’s commitment to inclusion and belonging.
RETREAT – COMING SOON!
Unhide and Thrive!
Half-day and weekend retreats coming soon!
Join us at the “Unhide and Thrive” Executive retreat, where we invite members of your leadership team to break free from self-imposed barriers and reconnect with their authentic selves. Delve into the core of what’s holding you back and embark on a transformative journey towards self-discovery and empowerment.
Through guided journaling, meditation, and collaborative group activities, you’ll uncover the keys to unlocking your true potential while fostering a sense of belonging within your team. In a world where 36% of individuals feel disconnected in the workplace, this retreat is essential for building a resilient and supportive community.
Don’t miss this opportunity to reignite your personal and professional growth.
SINGLEHANDEDLY BOOK CLUB
Join our Book Club for an eye-opening journey with “Singlehandedly: Learning to Unhide and Embrace Connection.”
In just 60 minutes, discover the powerful first step of acknowledging what you’re hiding and your perceptions of differences. With 61% of us concealing our true selves, we’re missing out on unlocking our collective potential.
This one-time discussion, complete with a discussion guide, offers a unique opportunity to engage with the author and delve into the book’s themes. Think of it as a VH1 “Behind the Music” experience, where you’ll uncover the untold stories and gain insight into the writing process.
The book is available in Kindle, print, and audio formats, this book club promises to ignite meaningful conversations and foster connection among colleagues.
Don’t miss out!
PAST SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS INCLUDE:
Barclays
The Lincoln Center
Bloomberg
Your organization has made some great strides when it comes to DEI. But there are some common oversights that many companies make around inclusion. Is your organization making any of these 5 mistakes?
Grab your free report on the 5 Mistakes Companies Make Around Inclusion and learn the quick action steps you can take to make your organization more inclusive today.
