Inspiring Workplaces 
The Way Work Ought to Be!

#1,087- August 13, 2025

When the gate agent wishes me a "great flight!" I almost always reply with an enthusiastic, "You too!" 

Yup, awkward! 

Usually we create our own awkward moments, while other times they are foisted upon us. For example, when my newsletter software program made the bold but awkward choice to send out my unfinished, unedited version of what was supposed to be this week's newsletter last week! (I hope you considered it a bonus day! For those of you that may have missed one or both of last week's zesty editions, you can find them in the Inspiring Workplaces archives.) 

Anyways, here's my advice about how to respond to awkward moments: Embrace them! Wrap your awkward arms around your awkward self and squeeze your awkwardness! It's not a question of IF you are going to do an awkward thing, it's when's the next time! 

To embrace your awkwardness is to accept your humanity. Awkwardness reminds us that we are all just humans doing our awkward best to get through the day. Awkwardness keeps us humble. Awkwardness makes us more approachable, more real, and yes, dare I say, even more lovable! 

Owning our awkward moments also offers us endless opportunities to laugh at ourselves -- providing us with a never-ending supply of entertainment!  

Being awkward and being comfortable in your awkwardness (two different things!) are also a green flag that you work in a safe workplace that gives people permission to be human. 

To truly celebrate the joys of being awkward why not create a ritual to celebrate everyone's awkward moments the way one team did who created an "X Days Without an Embarrassing Incident" board?  

If someone does something awkwardly embarrassing they must share the awkward moment with the team, reset the number of days on the board back to zero, and wear the Tiara of Shame for the day. It's a fun way to encourage everyone to embrace their awkward humanity with a shared, supportive laugh.