This Women’s Day, let’s commit to a Compassionate Workplace!

Dear Friend,

Gallup reports that 69% of employees feel disengaged at work. This is a 10-year low.

And for women, that disengagement often isn’t a lack of effort on their part.

Imagine you started your current role full of energy, eager to prove yourself. You work late, take on extra projects, and believe your effort will pay off.

But soon, you notice a pattern.

Your ideas don’t land – until someone else repeats them. Promotions go to those who “play the game.” Decisions happen in rooms you’re not invited into.

You start to wonder… is it me? Let me stop you right there.

It’s not you. It’s possibly the environment you’re in. And that environment can either push you down – or help you rise.

This International Women’s Day, let’s talk about the real commitment we need to make – to building compassionate workplaces where everyone can thrive.

Women don’t just need more seats at the table. We need workplaces where we don’t have to fight to be seen, heard, and valued.

Here are 9 signs you’re in a workplace where you can flourish.

9 Green Flags of a Compassionate Workplace

1. Your Boss Trusts You

• You have autonomy over your work and schedule.
• You’re not micromanaged, and your decisions are respected.
• A great boss gives guidance – but also the space to grow.

Red flag? If you constantly feel like you have to prove yourself or justify every move, the trust isn’t there.

2. You Feel Safe to Speak Up

• Ever held back an idea because you weren’t sure how it would be received?
• In a healthy workplace, open communication is the norm.
• Leaders encourage feedback, and mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, not punishable offenses.

Red flag? If silence is safer than honesty, the culture isn’t built for growth.

3. Your Work Feels Meaningful

• You understand how your role contributes to something bigger.
• Leadership reinforces the company’s mission, and you feel a sense of purpose in what you do.

Red flag? If it feels like you’re just pushing papers, and no one connects your work to the bigger picture, engagement will naturally drop.

4. The Culture Supports Your Growth

• Your company invests in learning – mentorship, training, career development.
• Feedback is a tool for improvement, not just criticism.

Red flag? If the only ‘development’ you get is a yearly performance review, you might be in a place that doesn’t prioritize your growth.

5. Your Colleagues Have Your Back

• Support isn’t just a policy – it’s a practice.
• When things get tough, your team steps in.
• Managers check in on your well-being, not just deadlines.

Red flag? If collaboration feels like competition, and burnout is ignored, it’s a toxic environment.

6. Your Work Is Rewarded Fairly

• Recognition for good work matters.
• Your contributions are valued, and promotions are based on merit – not just office politics or favoritism.

Red flag? If you’re constantly working harder than others but seeing no reward, it’s a sign of an unfair system.

7. You Feel Like You’re in It Together

• A great workplace fosters collaboration, not cut-throat competition.
• People share knowledge, give credit, and genuinely want each other to succeed.

Red flag? If everyone is in survival mode, and success feels like a solo effort, it’s not a culture that supports collaboration.

8. You Can Log Off After Work

• Work-life balance isn’t just talked about – it’s respected.
• There’s no pressure to check emails late at night or be “always on.”

Red flag? If you feel guilty for taking time off or stepping away, the culture might be built on overwork.

9. You Can Be Yourself

• You’re valued for who you are, not just what you do.
• Different perspectives are welcomed, and inclusion isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a lived reality.

Red flag? If you constantly have to adjust who you are to fit in, it’s not the right place for you.

A workplace can either lift you up or weigh you down. If you’re missing too many of these green flags, it might be time to reassess. Because thriving at work isn’t just about working harder – it’s about being in the right, supportive environment.

This Women’s Day, let’s build compassionate workplaces – together.

Let’s not just celebrate women – let’s build workplaces where they (and everyone else) feel valued, supported, and seen.

And if you’re a leader, a manager, or someone in a position of influence, ask yourself – are you creating a space where people can truly thrive?

So, tell me, how many of these green flags do you see in your workplace?

Hit reply and let me know – or share this with someone who needs to hear it.

Warmly,