In the fourth episode of Siero Media’s new "Superpowers at Work" podcast, we delve into the transformative power of creating an environment of belonging in the professional sphere. Superpower’s host, Sissy Siero, is joined by the brilliant S.E. Puett, a seasoned consultant with a rich background of over two decades in public service. Together, they unpack the intricacies of inspiring change and fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace.

S.E. Puett, having transitioned from a commendable career in public service to consulting for major organizations, shares their profound journey of discovering and activating superpowers at work. In particular, Puett specializes in creating an environment of belonging, especially in the dynamic tech space.

In an era where celebrating victories and supporting one another is encouraged, Puett reflects on the generational shift that has allowed for a more open and celebratory workplace culture. 

Puett says, “I came from a time and a generation where you weren't allowed to celebrate your wins. You weren't allowed to really sound overly boastful or joyous about the accomplishments that you have. I'm personally enjoying living in a time where we can flip that on its head, celebrate one another's wins and prop one another up, and know that it's okay to do that. It's okay to support one another.” 

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They also reflect on societal expectations regarding career paths and stability. They emphasize the significance of self-awareness, acknowledging personal strengths, and aligning them with professional pursuits.

The dialogue unfolds with Puett sharing personal experiences of feeling seen and the joy derived from creating opportunities for others. “I've always found myself getting the most joy out of feeling like I created an opportunity somewhere. It made me feel resourceful. One of my famous phrases is if I don't know the answer nine times outta ten, I know somebody,” says Puett.   The concept of recognizing and leveraging one's superpowers is central to Puett's approach, focusing on the ability to perceive the strengths of others.

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A poignant moment in the conversation occurs when Puett vulnerably discusses being diagnosed on the spectrum. Puett delves into the challenges faced in presenting as a neurodivergent woman in the corporate world, saying: “I'm always dealing with the bias of my appearance and that people have a certain expectation as to what my tone of voice should [sound like] based on how I am presenting. You have diverse perceptions in one conversation, and you need to decide at that moment how do you want them to receive that? How did they need to receive that in a way that gets the best outcome possible?” It’s this constant self-monitoring, tonal adjustments, and biases that make navigating workplaces sometimes especially challenging or exhausting, especially for neurodivergent professionals. 

The conversation expands to encompass team dynamics, leadership communication, and the importance of understanding one's audience. Puett stresses the need for tailoring messages to resonate with diverse perspectives, particularly when engaging with C-suite executives.

“I think we cannot have a conversation until we seek to understand all perspectives outside of our own, whether we've lived them ourselves, whether we have studied them ourselves or not,” they add. Puett not only challenges the use of buzzwords but also emphasizes the necessity of understanding individual perspectives in driving organizational change. The importance of agile communication and a nuanced approach to addressing issues is underscored, emphasizing that one size does not fit all.

Puett encourages organizations to embrace discomfort in conversations surrounding diversity, equity, and belonging. “I think if we can focus on the language and we can focus on the behaviors that we want to implement into these policies and implement into these programs, we can bypass a lot of the static and noise to say, “Hey, we're here to be good humans. How can we learn to be more innovative humans by being good to one another?” they add. It’s not only about starting these conversations, but about how you continue to engage with one another, how you approach each interaction with your colleagues from the angle of kindness, compassion, and striving for similar goals of inclusivity and belonging. 

The conversation then shifts to the power of creating psychologically safe environments, where individuals can show up authentically without the burden of self-doubt. Puett highlights a monumental change from when they first entered the workforce to today, stating: “To be able to live and breathe and work in a place where I can speak openly about how I feel about how I'm being treated, that in itself is an evolution from the workforce that I joined 20 something years ago.” 

As the conversation draws to a close, Puett reflects on the idea that embracing discomfort fosters resilient teams that learn to thrive in challenging circumstances. Puett concludes with a call to organizations to be willing to entertain uncomfortable conversations, acknowledging that true evolution requires confronting change, even when inconvenient. 

We can all use this reminder that “It takes being comfortable with being uncomfortable sometimes, but it definitely builds a team that is more resilient and really, really leans into thriving when they get to celebrate their wins because they learned how to work bigger, better, faster, stronger.”

We want to thank S.E. Puett for sharing their valuable insights into creating a workplace culture that celebrates diversity, fosters belonging, and propels teams toward innovation and success. Their journey of self-discovery, understanding others, and navigating the complexities of neurodiversity is an important story to read, listen to, reflect on, and share. You can listen to the full podcast here or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

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