Recently, as I scrolled through the feeds of some of my LinkedIn connections, I stumbled upon heartwarming glimpses of “Bring Your Child to Work” initiatives in the USA. For those unfamiliar, this event offers a day when organizations invite employees to bring their kids to the office, granting them a peek into the world of their parents’ daily endeavors and to what they ‘do’ when they are not playing with them. It’s not just about showcasing job roles; it’s about fostering connections, celebrating diversity, and sparking imagination.
From the organizational perspective, it is also an opportunity to connect with your colleagues under a different light as you get to talk about the kids, regardless whether you are yourself a parent or not, and hopefully start noticing and appreciating different things about each other. And of course, it is also a display of amazing diversity as families come in all sizes, colors, and shapes, which again brings a lot of value to organizations.
In the ‘old’ days, I would imagine that in the ‘old days’ this type of initiatives would be an everyday thing, especially when education was not as accessible (or even mandatory) as nowadays, and the way in which professions perpetuated (e.g. guilds). And in the last century, in the hype of ‘the corporate world’, these activities where a way to entice younger generations into the realms of the corporate jobs, as a way to secure the human resources pipeline, which was a smart move by the way, with the promises of everything you can achieve in the world by becoming ‘a manager’ (enter Dilbert, The Office, or any other reference you want to bring).
Today, amid the modern corporate landscape, “Bring Your Child to Work” days offer additional layers to the subject of work and careers.
Some of these initiatives have themes, like “Follow Your Dreams”, as an invitation to imagine possibilities, like a multiverse, where kids can still be kids and play any role they want either one of the ‘traditional ones’ like doctor, veterinarian, zookeeper, astronaut, firefighter, or police officer; the ‘ambitious ones’ like President of my country; the ‘recent ones’ such as influencer, e-gamer, or digital nomads; and event the ones that haven’t been created (yet) like time-traveller, space cab driver, unicorn rider, or anything else that a kid’s boundary-less mind can express.
Others revolve around diversity and inclusion, proposing that anyone can potentially be or do whatever they desire as long as they are determined to do it and bringing consciousness around how the corporate world has to evolve to embrace this diversity and how important is for some people to ensure they leave behind a better world for future generations, which is an amazingly generous purpose.
Yet, what about inviting our younger selves into the conversation?
In reflecting on these initiatives, it struck me: What if we turned the lens inward? What if we invited our own inner child — the kid we used to be — to accompany us to work, metaphorically speaking, and pose questions about our present reality and future aspirations?
Imagine the possibilities if we resurrected that childhood curiosity and boundless imagination within ourselves. What dreams would resurface? What aspirations would we dare to voice? From traditional vocations to fantastical roles yet to be conceived, the canvas of our potential is vast.
Some “Bring Your Child to Work” initiatives echo themes of diversity, inclusion, and breaking barriers. They remind us that our dreams aren’t confined by societal norms or predetermined paths. They challenge us to envision a world where anyone, regardless of background or circumstance, can pursue their passions and leave a mark on the world.
When was the last time you brought your former self to work? When did you allow that wide-eyed, inquisitive child within you to challenge your beliefs and spark your imagination? What if, instead of dismissing it, you embraced the wisdom of your inner child?
Yes, it may seem fanciful to imagine wielding a magic wand or singing a tune to tackle the complexities of the workplace. But perhaps, buried within those childhood fantasies, lie seeds of resilience, creativity, and boundless potential waiting to be tapped.
So, here is a challenge:
Allow that inner child to challenge your beliefs, unearth hidden possibilities, and envision a world of pure imagination (yes, like the Willy Wonka’s movie song). Embrace the courage to dream boldly, act boldly, and build a future where you can truly thrive. After all, as the song goes, “If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.”
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