“When you take on being the hero, you’re willing to sacrifice relationships and social connections because your worth is tied to producing. There’s pride attached to it.” What resonates when you read this?
In this episode of The Rest of Us podcast, Robb King, Facilitator and Founder of Blume Theory, joins Dana in conversation to call us in (not out) about holding tight to the workplace hero identity.
Through laughter, honesty, and a framework, Dana and Robbexamine the workplace hero identitythrough the lens of consumption. And in doing so, we talk about why there is magic in being ordinary and how to do L.E.S.S when you default to doing more.
What the workplace hero identity is and why so many of us take it on.
Examining consumptive behaviors tied to workplace heroes and how such behaviors undermine leadership and a sustainable culture.
What it means to do L.E.S.S. and how this is a superpower.
A framework that helps workplace heroes shift to doing L.E.S.S.
Key Quotes & Insights
“There is magic in being ordinary.” – Robb King
“Consumption is not a good or bad thing. Consuming is doing things at a rate that is not sustainable. It is thinking about taking your and other people’s energy in order to complete unsustainable tasks.” – Robb King
“When you play the hero, you start to enter a space of loneliness because there is a willingness to sacrifice relationships and social connections because your identity is tied to it. This identity makes you think of yourself as the only.” – Robb King
About Robb King
ROBB KING is a modern-day griot who helps people and organizations rethink the way they work. Through reflection, storytelling, and thoughtful questioning, he gently challenges outdated beliefs, uncovers unnecessary complexity, and helps leaders and teams discover simpler paths to impact. He creates space for clarity, joy, and sustainable growth, believing there is more than one way to succeed and that meaningful change begins when people are willing to examine the assumptions shaping their work.
Throughout his career, Robb has partnered with nonprofit organizations, philanthropic institutions, educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders navigating growth, transition, and change.
Robb is the founder of Blume Theory, a learning studio dedicated to helping people explore what doing less at work looks like in practice. Through workshops, conversations, and learning experiences, Blume Theory encourages people to question the belief that success requires constant busyness, overwork, or complexity. Instead, participants learn how to focus their energy on what matters most and build work that is both impactful and sustainable.
In addition to leading Blume Theory, Robb works as a freelance consultant, helping organizations find clarity in their work, simplify operations, strengthen leadership, and build systems that can thrive beyond any one individual.
Dana Tenille Weekes made the conscious decision to live in a mindset of rest as self-liberation after nearly 15 years as a lawyer-lobbyist in Washington, DC. In 2020, Dana faced the darkest period of her life, which eventually led her to resign from a top global law firm and take a year-long journey of rest in 2022.
In 2023, Dana launched Thrive Architects, a strategic advising and professional development firm building advocacy, organizational health, and well-being platforms for organizations, communities, and people to thrive.
The Rest of Us podcast is one way Dana is building community for professionals and advocates on the brink of burnout to think about rest differently. If you’re interested in embracing rest as liberation, especially after the podcast episode ends, join our community where we converse, connect, cultivate, and lean into our creativity.
