Hello everyone, I'm Dr. Michaela, a clinical psychologist and founder of My Easy Therapy. 

Today, in association with the INEOS Go Humans Academy, we'll be exploring the compelling concept of uniqueness in our identity and its crucial role in building our sense of belonging. 

Sometimes, in a bid to fit into social scenarios, we might find ourselves altering or toning down aspects of our identity, but here's the truth. Every one of us brings a unique set of skills and perspectives to the table. Recognising and celebrating these differences is key to fostering a sense of belonging and building a robust team culture.

It's these diverse perspectives and talents that often lead to the most innovative and creative solutions. 

Today, we have the INEOS Britannia Sailing Team with us participating in a simple exercise. 

You'll see each crew member will describe their colleagues using only one word, illustrating their unique value to the team.

Let's see how they get on.

What makes me an important member?

It's a tough one.

I'd say if I had to drill it down to one or two words, it would probably be.

This could be interesting.

Stoic and dynamic.

Yeah, that's interesting, I guess.

So, I thought that might have been some more. 

Stoic, okay. That's quite kind of them, I think. I'll take that.

Knowing what other people think about you, especially in this instance for me, is really helpful because it means that you're doing the right things. 

I mean, it's been really eye-opening for me seeing those two words. 

I think it's a difficult one knowing when the right time and place is to give people really honest feedback on them.

You should be bigging up your teammates and helping your friends and going do you know what mate? you're great at this and you bring this to the team.

You know that what you're doing day-to-day, the training and the things you do behind the scenes, the little things are getting noticed.

That's what makes great and successful teams the ability to be honest. It's not something that's easy and sometimes these things can come out as a result of something going wrong.

Yeah, 100% I think it's not talked about enough what individuals bring to a team.

What you're doing is bringing something and adding something to the team and the performance.

The more you chat, the more you communicate around those things, the better the team will get.

Watching the crew highlight each other's strengths and unique qualities is incredibly insightful.

By expressing appreciation for individual contributions, the team was able to deepen their understanding and recognition of each other's importance.

Everyone, whether part of the team or working towards a common goal, should steer clear from comparisons.

The world isn't monochromatic, it's a vibrant palette of different personalities. This diversity fuels authenticity, creativity and interesting conversation points. The charm lies in being unique.

Presenting your genuine self is beneficial as it attracts people who appreciate the real you. Eliminating the need to maintain any pretence.

Everyone has distinct qualities, strengths and weaknesses and that's what makes being part of a team or a friendship group fascinating.

Everyone contributes differently and it's this diversity that we should cherish and encourage. However, what we need to stay clear of is the habit of constant comparisons with others.

Here's some advice to leave you with. 

1. Embrace Individuality. Each person brings something unique to the table. Embrace this individuality. It's what fuels innovation, creativity and authenticity.
2. Appreciate Differences. Appreciating the different perspectives, talents and characteristics of each team member not only enhances team culture but also cultivates a sense of belonging.
3. Ditch Comparisons. Being a part of a team is not about measuring up to each other. It's about celebrating differences and leveraging them to reach shared goals.

Don't let comparison hinder your ability to appreciate your unique strengths and those of others.

Most importantly, remember to seek professional help if you need it.

If you're struggling, do not hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional. They can provide immediate support to help you navigate your feelings and develop a stronger sense of self.

And don't forget to continue our sessions in the link below or join the conversation using #GoHumansAcademy and head to ineoshygienics.com for more information and mental health resources.