Odd One Out

What about when you're the odd one out at your workplace? Maybe it's because your political or religious beliefs don't mesh with everyone around you, because you live differently or because your family background sets you apart. Whatever the reason, if your differences are a major issue for your co-workers and the corporate culture in your workplace discourages openness, feeling out of place can make your work difficult.

There are things you can do to make it easier:

• Have a vibrant life outside of the job. Cultivate friendships and family relationships, delve into outside interests, find community activities or join groups. For me, this has been a lifesaver at times.
• See if there is one person at work who seems a little more open than everyone else. If she seems receptive, approach her for advice or help in small work-related matters.
  
• Keep track of your contributions to various projects. Make sure that even if you're left out of the loop, your work is beyond criticism.
• Keep encouraging items around you - photos, something from home, an item or picture that represents a dream you have, such as starting your own business.
• Have rewards planned, both short-term (the end of your workweek) and long-term (sticking with the job for a year).
• Poll your friends and networks outside your job - has anyone you know experienced this problem? How did they handle it? Are they interested in forming a support group (F2F or virtual)?
  
• See yourself as the person who could bring a breath of fresh air to your workplace. Even if the atmosphere is so uncongenial that you plan to move on as soon as possible, you might be the one to put a crack in the wall.
• If the environment is oppressive, start a job search campaign even if times are tough. The search itself will help you feel as though you're moving forward even if you don't produce noticeable results immediately.