If you follow Your Own Place or me on social media, you may see and read lots of posts about the team. As a social enterprise preventing homelessness, isn’t the most important thing the work we do and the impact we have? Arguably, but let me tell you a little why they both matter and are inextricably linked.
You see, I’ve had a mixed career spanning 25 years, working in different sectors and settings. I’ve worked with some wonderful, inspiring, exciting and thoughtful people. Those that have been less so have been and remain my driver and conscience in leading Your Own Place.
To set up a business that you don’t own, that you’re an employee of, is, without doubt the biggest professional challenge and privilege of my life. That driver has always been to do things better as well as differently, bravely, honestly and transparently. No opportunity has been wasted to reflect on what others do and what I might do in their shoes, without judgement. This includes members of the team. Doing things better matters to me alongside our core values of: Equality, Asset-based, Restorative, Innovative-Engaging-Fun and High Quality.
Of the many reasons we landed on our current values and model, is because of the value we put in every individual. And I mean EVERY individual. When I hear negative language, unconstructive b*tching and moaning about people, I have a visceral response. I want to see and do better than our current polarised, angry, unequal and unjust world. And at Your Own Place we can only make a difference if we are better too.
During your induction, if you get the job, you’ll spend some time with me and I’ll explain how there’s no secret office language, tone, stereotypes or labels (this can lead to wonderful debates about the language we should be using). How we talk about people is how we talk to people. This might be different to where you’ve worked before and we’ll support you through the transition. If the ‘behind the scenes’ language is negative, blaming and judgemental, it’s almost impossible (and unethical) to hide that. People know what you really think! Much easier then, to be consistent in our values, approaches, language and inherent value of people in the team and outside it.
That’s why you hear so much about our team values – because the work we do follows the same path.
If you think this is for you, we can’t wait to welcome you.
Find out about the job on our website: www.yourownplace.org.uk/joinourteam
Rebecca
CEO & Founder of Your Own Place CIC
