Podge Thomas' Anti-Capitalist Vision: Rethinking Business Beyond Profit
In today’s episode, Madeline converses with Podge, a Notion consultant, Fractional COO, and the founder of Small Business Co-Pilot. Podge narrates how her journey as a founder, is informed by the awareness of her ancestors' struggle for rights and freedoms she now enjoys, and how she's motivated and humbled by the privilege to live and work in the way she does today.
In conversation, Madeline & Podge also delve into her freelance journey and how colonialism and imperialism can manifest within the workplace. Podge emphasizes the importance of developing atmospheres of transparency, collaboration, and learning in the workplace instead of siloed and controlling environments. She further shares her approach to reframing work as a place where individuals learn and grow instead of focusing purely on productivity. Finally, Podge discusses a new guide she has developed that focuses on employee stewardship, hiring, onboarding, managing, and separating as a means to decolonize the workplace.
Listen in as we speak about:
Understanding the Background
Decolonizing the Workplace
How Can Businesses Start The Process of Decolonizing?
Creating A New Way of Working
And much, much, more!
Understanding the Background
Before divinge into the intricacies of decolonizing a workspace, the conversation leans into Podge’s own stories and experience as the foundation from which she does this vital work. Podge shares her journey as a woman, navigating through her mixed-race background, honoring her Seneca Nation of Indians heritage while acknowledging her privileges, and sharing how shebelieves she owes the freedom and opportunities she enjoys today to the sacrifices and fights of her ancestors.
Taking this awareness and gratitude into her work, Podge stresses the importance of humility. Even in times of vulnerability, she keeps check on her privilege and expresses her commitment to harnessing it responsibly. By doing so, she brings the underlying concept of decolonizing the workplace to the forefront - creating an employee-centered, equitable, and learning-centered business environment.
Decolonizing the Workplace
Decolonizing the workplace is about flipping traditional business practices and reimagining a different output with a redesigned approach. Podge emphasizes that we need to discard the patterns of colonialism and imperialism that enforce a power-oriented and subjugated way of doing things. This starts by reshaping the core pillars of employee stewardship - hiring, onboarding, managing, and separating.
Redefining these processes with a lens of clarity, equity, and inclusivity can lead to an atmosphere where employees feel valued and valuable. This transformation can be achieved by incorporating transparent procedures, eliminating information silos, treating the workplace as a learning space, and encouraging an atmosphere for contemplation and collaboration.
How Can Businesses Start The Process of Decolonizing?
Businesses can begin this transformation by staying true to the nature of the organization, its practices, and its potential to provide a nurturing environment. This requires reflecting on the power dynamics within the organization, resetting expectations, and communicating clearly to avoid any form of manipulation or control.
One of the key steps towards decolonizing the workplace is to establish clear boundaries and expectations, not just with employees but also with oneself as a leader. This involves recognizing the potential and limitations of employees as well as themselves, thereby facilitating a growth-centric environment that drives productivity while ensuring the well-being of the employees.
Creating A New Way of Working
As regenerative business builders, we must strive to revamp traditional business practices, and discuss advocate for a fresh narrative that promotes dignity, respect, and equality in the workplace. Podge’s work reminds us that should avoid merely focusing on productivity and cultivate a culture of learning, growth, transparency, and open communication.
Inevitably, this will require courage, flexibility, and a willingness to break the norms. Yet, it is this transformative approach that will ensure a healthier, inclusive, and more equitable workspace for everyone.
The move towards decolonizing the workplace is not just a trend but a necessity in today's age. It requires a fundamental shift in how we perceive business practices and the roles we assign to ourselves as leaders and our employees. While the journey may be challenging, the vision of a decolonized workspace where diversity, equity, and inclusivity thrive is undoubtedly a future worth working towards.
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