How do you strike a balance between committing to your work and honoring your own personhood? The simple answer is by setting boundaries. What’s more complicated, though, is that these boundaries are hugely individual and can be difficult to set and to maintain, especially for people in care work. In this interview, Karyn Oates, the consulting director for Ethos and a former nonprofit leader, shares her thoughts on the importance of choice and respect at work and the role of organizations in making sure their employees know their choices and feel that respect. 

Karyn weighs in on:

• How “being from the south side of Chicago” has shaped her 
• Her philosophy on what makes for a living wage
• The problematic history of the theater industry
• Whether we all should live for work or log out at five
• The importance of curiosity in life and career

Important resources from this episode:

• Posse Scholarship - https://www.possefoundation.org/ 
• Upton Sinclair's book about Chicago - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-jungle-upton-sinclair/17820709?ean=9781945186042 

Connect with Karyn Oates:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karyn-oates-mshrm-b1004123 
• Ethos - https://www.ethostalent.com/team/karyn-oates 
• Definition Theater  - https://www.definitiontheatre.org/ 

Connect With Alida:

• Share your feedback on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alidamw
• Order Alida’s book “Cultures of Belonging: Building Inclusive Organizations That Last” and gain exclusive access to bonus content! - https://bookshop.org/p/books/cultures-of-belonging-building-inclusive-organizations-that-last-alida-miranda-wolff/17372555?ean=9781400229253
• Learn more about Alida Miranda-Wolff - https://alidamirandawolff.com/

Advocate for underrepresented and underserved groups in organizations with Ethos - https://www.ethostalent.com/