Niki the Granola Queen

Recently Niki walked into my office to tell me something or another and we ended up chatting about the new cafe space, marketing ideas, and how to grow that aspect of the business. She was suggesting I invite this person and that person, host this event and that event. She was so full of ideas I pulled out my notebook and started noting down her suggestions. 

As I did, I commented “Smart idea, Niki!”

She nodded and said, to herself as much as to me, “I’m smart.” 

Chuckling, I agreed "Absolutely you are!!” 

She went on to wonder, “Why are people with education, what's the word… when they don’t treat people without education nicely?” 

“Arrogant,” I suggest? 

“Yea, why are they arrogant? I am smart. I didn't study, but I am smart. I can’t read or write but I am smart. Why do they think people who can’t read aren’t smart?” 

Three years ago, Niki joined us as a baker in training. How she spoke about herself back then is vastly different than how she speaks about herself now. Three years ago, I heard things like “I haven’t studied so I can’t do…” There was a lot of fear and uncertainty and unknowns for her. 

Even now, she still hesitates when I challenge her to do things that stretch her, for example counting and recording the small amount of petty daily at the start and end of the day. She gives excuses of why she can’t, or doesn’t want to, and it is too much for her mind to handle. 

In response, I affirm she can, at her own pace, and remind her there are people alongside to help. Amid these tasks she doesn’t like, she still grumbles, just a little more quietly, as she engages in the challenge!  I know giving her responsibilities like this and affirming her skills and abilities grows her confidence. Doing these things makes her stronger, not just in math skills, but in responsibility, in confidence, and understanding and believing her own worth. She is becoming a stronger individual! 

For three years, I have been telling her she is smart, and she has so much to offer, and naming her as a saleswoman, and Granola Queen. But the real power of these words is when she starts believing them and naming herself as these things. 

She is coming to understand, and believe, she is smart, has a place, and is a crucial part of the team, and her voice matters. This is powerful transformation.