We Are All the Intersections of Our Identities

We all use words to describe core attributes of our humanity. We may say we are middle class, college educated, or employed. These are words we use to communicate to the world who we are. Some of these words get confusing - are they labels? are they alienating? are they true? When we don’t understand something, we tend to fear it rather than engage in curiosity to learn more. Quite often we struggle, particularly, with attributes around race, gender and attraction. I invite you to be curious and a learner and overcome fear.

I’ve run into people who believe that identities around race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE), among others, are no one’s business. I disagree. They make us, all of us, who we are as whole human beings and are vital to our ability to bring our whole selves to where we work, shop, play and live.

I identify as cisgender, bisexual, uni-romantic, and masculine of center, able-bodied, college educated, middle class and white. These are descriptions of who I consider myself to be and (some of) my identities. I invite you to exercise curiosity to understand what I mean by some of the phrases above. I, in return, will do the same to understand the words you use to describe yourself.

None of my identities above in any way discuss my behaviors. My behavior may be very different and may not be any of your business.

If I have to hide any of my identities from my employer, clients or care givers, they do not have an accurate picture of who I am, and my attention is split between doing what I need to do and preventing others from finding out who I am.

How do we open up our businesses to be curious, to embrace the full complement of identities that make up humanity in a way that enhances our businesses rather than distracts?

This is the question I can help you answer for you, your business, and your vision of success.