Last week, in partnership with Motivaim and the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), I worked with 20 formerly incarcerated participants of CEO’s job readiness training program. The 5-hour workshop focused on strengthening professional skills related to communication, building relationships and managing difficult situations at work.

Knowing that in California recidivism rates range from 43-65%[1] within the first year of being out of prison, and that secure employment makes a huge difference in beating those odds, I felt the weight of this training more than any other training I have done over the past six years.

As a facilitator, I have to remind myself that I can’t affect or reach every person in a training. This was doubly difficult, knowing that people’s and their family’s future is on the line. Many might say that one training doesn’t make a difference—but paired with holistic services and a support network maybe it could for one person, or even a couple.

During the workshop so many topics came up—participants shared stories about their hopes for the future, their previous work experiences and their fears of being judged. Some came up to me during break because they were so excited to continue the conversation. Despite being a hot day in San Jose and in the training room—our enthusiasm and engagement with each other fueled passionate and meaningful conversations.

After the training finished I have been processing and mulling over the conversations we had the the “Wow!” moments we shared. My biggest takeaway is that regardless of background and work experience—anyone can benefit from the takeaways we shared during the workshop.

So here they are—10 key takeaways for any professional or human being:

(as you read through these—think about which you connect with the most, and of course feel free to comment below!)

Finding value in ourselves through inner confidence, compassion and respect goes hand-in-hand with a hard work ethic.
The need to feel accepted and have our value recognized at work is a huge driver to how we perform.
Not allowing our fears or preconceptions of how others might judge us is fundamental to building new relationships and achieving success.
Building a support network of allies and friends is key to finding meaning in our work. and overcoming challenges.
Taking risks by using our voice, sharing something about ourselves and remaining open-minded to others can help build stronger relationships.
Attitude is everything. We can shift the way we approach work and influence others better through enthusiasm & positivity.
Listening and negotiating are powerful tools that: 1) create a safe work environment; 2) help us achieve our goals; 3) build stronger relationships even in difficult situations.
We are in it for the long run. Which is why it’s so important to set personal and work boundaries. Our mental and physical health is directly tied to how we perform and manage relationships.
Take it step-by-step. There will be ups and there will certainly be downs. Don’t take it personally, remind yourself that change happens slowly and with patience.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Showing vulnerability is not a weakness, it is human. It helps us grow and become stronger leaders.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY:

Find commonalities with people whom we might not think we have anything in common with. We never know when this could turn into an opportunity, could bring about a change, or change someone else’s life.

[1] https://prison2ec.org/facts/