Workplace culture is the backbone of any organization, so, when I was searching for a place to take the next step in my career, I knew I had to find somewhere with a healthy culture. After doing research, it was clear that TEDCO had what I was looking for; with five meaningful core values that drive each task, it exemplified the healthy environment I was looking for. Now, after a month as the Marketing Communications Specialist, one core value has stood out the most, respect.
When people feel respected, they bring their whole selves to the table, offering unique perspectives and valuable insight that can improve processes and support growth. When people are heard, valued, and empowered to contribute – regardless of their background – innovation is rarely stagnant. This mutual respect fuels innovation, allowing diverse perspectives to drive meaningful conversations, challenge ideas, and spark growth.
Respect and diversity go hand in hand. Afterall, the best ideas don’t come from echo chambers, but from diverse perspectives and experiences. Contrary to what some may think, respect isn’t about agreeing on everything; rather, it’s about valuing every voice in the room. It allows us to have tough conversations, explore new ideas, and sometimes constructively disagree. It’s through this mutual respect that we find common ground, push boundaries and empower Maryland’s economic ecosystem.
In my role, I often sit in meetings with my team and confer on various ideas for projects. Knowing that my ideas are welcome, and that any criticism will be constructive and respectful, not only helps me be comfortable in my role, but allows me the chance to grow and improve.
If respect was not present in TEDCO’s workplace culture, I think groupthink would be very prevalent. Groupthink is defined by the Cambridge dictionary as “the process in which bad decisions are made by a group because its members do not want to express opinions, suggest new ideas, etc. that others may disagree with.” This reality is a problem many organizations face and can prove to be a roadblock to overcome adversities.
Despite being relatively new, TEDCO has already taught me that respect is what creates the space for ideas to flourish, for individuals to feel safe taking risks, and for teams to build trust with one another. It’s what makes TEDCO a place where everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, contribute to something bigger than themselves by empowering Maryland startups and entrepreneurs.
I am excited to continue my journey with TEDCO and cannot wait to see how I grow while doing meaningful work in an environment that fosters respect.