A blog series where every AllClouder’s story matters.
Stories are a powerful way to connect with people. We wanted to give our employees a platform to share their unique stories of how AllCloud has impacted their lives, celebrate what they care about most, and inspire people worldwide. Whether you are a customer, partner, or a potential candidate, this series is meant to bring you closer to the AllClouders and understand what makes them choose this company every single day!
Join us on a journey of personal and professional growth as we explore the topic of mental health and how the work environment can influence it. The importance of having room for mistakes and support from your managers to break free from the *impostor syndrome and embrace your true potential.
Discover the inspiring story of Joanna Olaru, who has been a Marketing Specialist at AllCloud for the past 3 years and reminds us that we can all achieve greatness, with the right mindset and environment.
What are the key attributes that would make a company a dream workplace for you?
A company that’s genuinely “people-first” and supports your mental health. A place where I can be myself, build confidence, network with amazing people, and have managers who are also leaders I look up to; where I can remove myself from the constant ‘imposter-syndrome’ zone and be successful.
What’s like working at AllCloud?
Having worked across all the teams and channels that we have in place here at AllCloud, I can honestly say it’s a collaborative, judgment-free, people-first environment. There is a lot of opportunity for growth and everyone across all departments tries to help one another beyond just their everyday work, from getting certifications, new learning curves, and taking the time to get to know each other on a personal level.
How did you and your manager build a foundation of trust in your role?
From the start, I have earned a high level of trust in my role. It speaks to many aspects, including the opportunities provided by my manager, the learning directives, the hands-on experience with projects, to my overall enthusiasm to learn and expand my skill set. Having a manager who allowed me to learn from trial and error without expecting perfection has boosted my confidence and motivation to new heights.
Do you ever experience Imposter Syndrome*?
I remember hearing from another female coworker some time ago that something like 70% of women in higher roles experience imposter syndrome, and I was not surprised. I think for me, it shows up when I falter on my learning path or am having an “off” day (read: week). The funny thing about imposter syndrome is that it makes you forget how far you’ve come and where you are now. It makes you hone in on just your mistakes and failures and puts you in a spiral of self-gaslighting thoughts.
What tactics do you use to address Impostor Syndrome?
At AllCloud, I feel comfortable expressing my thoughts and having meaningful conversations with my manager/mentor and other leaders. This has helped halt some of those thoughts before they grow out of control. While I still may feel overwhelmed or anxious while working on new tasks or not performing at my best, I know these are normal feelings. On such days, we need to remind ourselves of our accomplishments, progress, and any appreciation we receive from others.
I saw this idea on Instagram and started doing it, which might also help others. You create a folder somewhere on your computer, and every time you accomplish something, someone compliments your work, or something that amplifies your accomplishments comes up, you put that into the folder. Then when you are feeling down about yourself, you read the things that have been said about you in that folder, reminding you of how far you’ve come and hopefully bringing you back to the present moment without self-judgment.
What inspired your decision to become an advocate for mental health, and how has that influenced your experience in the workforce?
As a big advocate and someone open about my mental health challenges, I find that work can make or break you in this area. It’s hard enough dealing with your mind, but if you are in an environment that either amplifies those thoughts or worsens your mental health, it will never help you grow in your job or life. At AllCloud, I have never felt like I couldn’t be myself about my issues, and not only that, but I have also felt understood and supported. Our Employee Success team has also made big leaps in implementing programs and systems that are there to help our mental health, from physical wellness to courses we can take and overall being a channel of support.
What advice would you give to other workplaces looking to create a safe and supportive environment for their employees?
- Listen to your employees and build a support system and professional development path that works for them – the journey is different for everyone and no one way of thinking or working is a one-size-fits-all solution.
- Allow them to be themselves (of course, while maintaining professionalism) and make sure they don’t feel like there are parts of them that are being repressed
- Allow room for growth, mistakes and learning curves – no one becomes an expert at something unless they try and are allowed the room to fail without judgment
- Ensure time and effort in building a mental health support system – give your employees personal days, tools to deal with their mental health, and at least one person that they can trust to speak about their mental health and remind them that they are not alone or have to go through it alone
How has your experience with AllCloud shaped you as a specialist?
Thinking back to who I was and where I was in my career 3 years ago, I see a huge shift in my abilities and confidence in my job. I think that also works to shift your perception of yourself and what you are capable of, and I know it has for me.
*Imposter syndrome is the feeling of being a fraud even when you are performing well.