Bringing my whole self to work

Pride: Personal story from Dean Paddock

I grew up in a time with very few openly gay role models. I watched Ellen get fired from her TV sitcome for coming out, and there was a lot of talk in the nightly news about "don't ask don't tell." The entire topic seemed so polarizing and generated a lot of negative dialogue.

Perhaps in part shaped by this, my early professional career had a self-imposed imaginary line separating me from sharing personal details in the workplace. My teammates and colleagues asked about my weekend and I would provide vague summaries void of any meaningful details. I never included names and I was always careful to not be gender-specific.

"This weekend was spent in the mountaints, and then there was a hike...it was such a great time!"

It wasn't until a trusted friend in the office took me for coffee when I began to see a different perspective. She asked my why I was reluctant to be myself around the team. To which I went to my standard reply, "I never hide anything. If someone asked me more details or who I spend my time with, I would tell them!"

She said, "Dean, when people open up and share personal details with you - they are actually inviting you to do the same. When you don't reciprocate, they sense you are uncomfortable, and you aren't being authentic with them."

As I reflect on this moment nearly 15 years ago, I've taken away a few learnings:

• By bringing my whole self to work, I make the first step in building meaningful, authentic and trusting relationships. I'm proud of the work I do and the people I work with. I owe it to them and myself to bring my authentic self to this place where I spend a large portion of my time and energy.
• By proudly sharing my own story I begin to act as a role model for other - some I may never know I had influence on.
• It took courage for my office friend to offer me this feedback and I'm so grateful she did. It's some of the best feedback, both professional and personal, I have received.
• It's a journey. I'm not saying that the imaginary line disappeared in one day. It's something that I'm always working on and thinking of.
• I really appreciate the opportunity to be open and bring my whole self to work at YYC. And I'll continue to advocate for YYC to be a safe and welcome place for our guests and employees.
• It's just as important today as it was 15 years ago for advocates and allies to stand together in support of those who seem different.

Thank you Dean for sharing such a personal story. By reading personal stories like Dean's and taking workshops like the one offered below, we can all become more culturally aware and sensitive of other people's truths that are different than our own.

Register for the LGBT 101 lunch 'n' learn

This workshop is an introduction to the language, context and history of the LGBTQ2+ community. By reading personal stories like Dean's and taking workshops like this, we can all become more culturally aware of other people's truths that are different than our own.

Date and time: Aug. 29 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Location: Silver Dart

RSVP to HR@yyc.com. Bring your lunch and HR will supply the dessert!

This workshop is hosted by OUT Reels, a diversity education program. Their films, and the dialogue that follows, will stimulate, inspire, and foster compassion through understanding.

All inclusive! Pride Week runs from Aug. 23 to Sept. 2. At YYC, we want everyone to feel included when they visit our airport as it's a reflection on how welcome they'll be in our city. Stay tuned to teamyyc.com to see how we're celebrating Pride Week and building awareness throughout the year. If you'd like to share a personal story about what Pride means to you, please contact YYCcommunications@yyc.com. Together we can build an inclusive community here at YYC!