Maddox: If you are at a station and people are constantly questioning your existence – who you are as a person – you have to address that head-on. Whether it is with HR, or with the individual, the behavior has to be addressed in our workplace.
We can’t just let people talk any kind of way and then ask me to uplift myself. No, we’re not doing that. That is about accountability. Letting people off the hook for foolishness: I am done with it. How are we going to do this work if people do and say whatever and then just walk off? Absolutely not.
I also believe wholeheartedly in having work colleagues you can go to to say “I need a good word.” [I can say], “Sway, remind me of the Black Queen that I am in this moment.” Having people who remind you who you are, who say, “You wrote that story last month, don’t let these people tell you you’re not a good journalist.” Have your tribe of people who come to your rescue when you need it. I have been saved a number of times by this very thing.
Steward: You have to surround yourself with people who are going to uplift you no matter what, no matter when you need it. If you can’t find that in your organization, that is your cue to start going somewhere else.
Look, you can’t be responsible for the behaviors of other people. If you won’t get it at your organization, at a bare minimum come find me and we’ll work on a plan together.