Behind the Mic | The Return Series

I thought Tanu Tiwari and I were going to talk about leadership.

We did.

But what stayed with me wasn't leadership.

It was environment.

As I listened to Tanu describe how leaders create what she calls "microcultures," I found myself thinking about this week's story, Which One Do You Like?

For years, I thought there was something wrong with me.

Why didn't I know my favorite color?

Why did I always ask what everyone else wanted first?

Why was it so hard to answer simple questions about what I liked?

The truth is, I wasn't born that way. I adapted to the environment around me. When you grow up focused on survival, learning what you want often takes a back seat. Tanu shared something that reminded me of that. She said people don't disengage randomly.

They respond to the environment around them. That statement applies to far more than leadership. It applies to all of us.

Our habits.

Our confidence.

Our relationships.

Even the way we see ourselves.

What Stayed With Me

One idea kept echoing in my mind: We're all becoming something because of the environments we're living in.

The question is whether those environments are helping us become who we want to be. Or teaching us to disappear. Tanu talks about leadership as creating a microculture. I think that's true for our personal lives too.

Every relationship.

Every workplace.

Every home.

Every friendship.

Creates a culture.

And over time, that culture shapes us.

The good news?

Awareness gives us a choice. Because once we see the environment, we can begin changing it.

Continue the Conversation

If Tanu's message resonates with you, I've created a dedicated feature page where you can explore her work, her upcoming book Disengaged, and the full episode.

One Question Before You Go

What environment is shaping you right now?

And is it helping you become more of yourself...or less?

Pam

Pause.
Choose.
Build momentum.
Finish stronger.