How Competition and Comparison Intensify the Pressure to Code-Switch
Code-switching refers to the practice of alternating between two or more languages, dialects, or styles of communication in different contexts or situations. It often occurs in response to social or cultural pressures, allowing individuals to adapt their speech to align with the expectations, norms, or linguistic preferences of a particular group. Code-switching can be observed in various settings, including professional environments, social interactions, and educational contexts. It can involve changes in language, tone, vocabulary, or even non-verbal communication to fit in, gain acceptance, or avoid negative judgments.
Code Switching in the context of competition and comparison is dangerous, it causes us to start an endless pursuit of becoming someone that we are not and something that we weren’t created to be. This pursuit can be exhausting. When we are lacking clarity about who we are, we start to settle for the bits and pieces of others. I would like you to Meet Maria!!
Maria, a young professional, recently joined a prestigious marketing firm known for its high-stakes competition and a culture of comparison. She quickly realizes that to fit in and advance, she needs to adopt certain behaviors and speech patterns that are not natural to her. Coming from a small town where she was known for her warm, friendly demeanor and casual manner of speaking, Maria now finds herself mimicking the polished, aloof communication style of her successful colleagues. She starts using business jargon, dressing in power suits, and altering her body language to appear more assertive.
At first, Maria feels a sense of accomplishment as she receives positive feedback and starts to climb the corporate ladder. However, this constant code-switching begins to take a toll on her. She feels exhausted from maintaining this façade and starts to lose sight of her own identity. The pressure to compete and compare has pushed her into an endless cycle of trying to become someone she is not, leading to increasing stress and unhappiness.
I have been in Maria’s position, as my pastor states, there is nothing worse than to the top of a ladder only to realize that you are on the wrong wall. We have many people climbing up the corporate ladder and seeking roles and industries only to get to a certain point and realize that it is the wrong wall and that they are not in the right position. If you are in Maria’s position and you know someone who’s in her position, I want to share some jewels that will help and allow you to SISE AND break free from the pressure to conform and code-switch.
Reflect: Reflect on the moments that led you to start to code-switch.
Identify: Identify what you changed first and the emotions that came along with that change.
Showcase: Identify the most authentic version of yourself that you would like to bring into the corporate place and list 1-3 steps you can take to bring that version back.
Empower: Understand that God has positioned you there not to conform, but to change the dynamics for the better and understand the importance of community in this process, when Esther tried to code switch and save space, Mordecai wasn’t having it, it was his advocacy that led to develop a deep resolve of breaking culture norms (approaching the king without being invited ) that led to the Gods children being saved.
Esther 4:14-17 New International Version
14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.