What brought me here - lessons from my Doctorate!

As you know, I am Dr Kym Davis - aka not a medical doctor. My doctoral thesis was focused on Employee Engagement in Shared Services Teams in a Regional University context. I know, a real page-turner! That's a different topic and pop over to the Blog Section - Doctorate if you are looking for content that is a bit more serious. Yes, I can be serious.

Aside from the many learnings during my doctoral journey, I was really fascinated by those of my research participants who just had 'it'. That je ne sais quoi (that's French for 'I don't know what': a pleasing quality that cannot be exactly named or described - thanks Cambridge Dictionary). Please note that I had to look it up (obviously). In Kym speak: they just seemed to have their s*it together! They were resilient, content, articulate, CALM, and had a pragmatic approach to the ups and downs that inevitably occur in the workplace and life. Pragmatic is another word I love. Pragmatic (adjective) - dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations. In Kym speak: they just didn't care (and not care like you need a hug and they didn't notice). CARE - like stupid sh*t just didn't rock their boat or get them down!!!

OMG I was in awe (and jealous). And throughout my doctorate and in my real life - I look for these people EVERYWHERE. Wondering what special super power they possess that nurtures them calmly through the stormy seas of life and work! I'll chat to a stranger on a bus if I think they have IT!

This is what started me thinking about 'employee engagement' at the individual level. We often think about employee engagement as something that happens to us. A workplace intervention, or positive workplace conditions that magically fosters our engagement levels. But what about what WE can do to motivate and engage ourselves? If you are interested check out an early article on put on LinkedIn here.

I was so enamored with this mystical quality I felt it was important to include in this blog and (my future) book. Drawing from the realm of positive psychology I want us to reflect on what's in our personal 'toolkit'. Those skills, capabilities, and talents that make us …US and how we might develop the kind of mindset we want and develop skills such as resilience and composure. Because friends - we are not fixed. We can learn and develop skills AT ANY AGE.

Right now, I just want us to reflect on that. In the meantime I am putting together some resources that I think will help. Stay tuned…

Peeps-stay focused and strategic! 🧰🎯 And thanks for joining me, Kym.