Friday espresso: Are You More Than Your Job? Here's Why It Matters
Apr 11, 2025 1:01 am
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Are You More Than Your Job? Here's Why It Matters
I start every team meeting with a simple prompt:
“What’s one non-work-related thing you’d like to share today?”
It sounded easy enough. But week after week, my team paused. Thought hard. Struggled.
And more often than not, we ended up talking about… work anyway.
It made me wonder—when did our jobs become the default lens through which we see ourselves?
WHY It’s Time to Reclaim Our Identity Beyond Work
Ask someone how they are, and chances are, you’ll hear something like:
❝Work’s been crazy.❞
❝Busy, just trying to survive the week.❞
❝Ugh, deadlines.❞
It’s not that work isn’t important—it is.
But when it becomes all we talk about, think about, and wrap our identity around, we lose sight of the rest of who we are.
⚠️ We forget our passions.
⚠️ We overlook our inner lives.
⚠️ We disconnect from the moments that bring us joy, growth, or clarity—outside of a job description.
And that disconnect has a COST: shallow relationships, burnout, and a blurry sense of self.
WHAT Happens When We Create Space for Non-Work Conversations
✅ Deeper connection with our teams.
✅ A richer understanding of the people we spend 8+ hours a day with.
✅Permission—for ourselves and others—to exist beyond our to-do list.
At first, these moments might feel awkward. But over time, they unlock stories, values, memories, and insights that would’ve stayed buried under the usual “hectic week” replies.
When we let people share who they are outside of work, we invite humanity back into the workplace.
HOW to Start Reconnecting With the ‘You’ Outside Your Job
1️⃣ Begin Your Meetings with a Non-Work Prompt
Try: “What’s a recent moment that made you smile?” or “What’s one thing you’re excited about this week (outside of work)?”
2️⃣ Be the First to Share
Lead by example. Talk about a memory, a book, a hobby, a random thought—anything that’s not tied to your job description.
3️⃣ Pause and Reflect Weekly
Ask yourself: What did I do this week that had nothing to do with work—and made me feel alive? If nothing comes to mind, maybe it’s time to create that moment.
You are more than your deadlines!
More than your job title!
Because you deserve to exist FULLY—not just professionally.
To celebrate Parents Day this May and June, we’re offering a special series of in-house programmes designed to empower your people—not just as professionals, but also as parents. We titled this series or learning interventions Work-Life Power Skills.
Celebrate Parents’ Day with skills that lead in both boardrooms and living rooms
Featured Programmes:
✅ TimeSmart Working Parents
– Practical tools to juggle responsibilities and stay focused
✅ Achieve through Change
– Navigate transitions with resilience and clarity for all the roles we play in VUCA environment
✅ WoWMom Leadership
– Empowering leadership for working moms
✅ Think on Your Feet
– Communicate clearly and confidently in any situation, at home or at work
If you are interested, email us at customerservice@mq.com.my. We’ll be happy to share more details and work out what fits best for your people.
That’s the espresso, keep the momentum! ☕
Stay caffeinated & curious!
Koo Lily
l Founder of mq Training Coaching Consulting l
Leadership Coach l Change Facilitator l Speaker l
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