Is it ok to be ‘your true self’ in the workplace?
Yes, who else are you going to be? Being your true self at work is a great way of establishing relationships , building trust and sharing life experiences. While there are boundaries as to what’s professional/appropriate, being your true self is the only way to truly be comfortable at work. I often hear job seekers saying they are looking for their next ‘home’ or talking about their ‘work family’. If your personality at home and work are the same, you are more likely to feel connected with your colleagues, naturally content and positive as opposed to feeling like a fraud, full of self doubt and at risk of dreaded ‘imposter syndrome’. Being yourself will allow you to form rapport and strong working relationships which in turn will lead better job/work performance and success.
Being your ‘true self’ comes through personal expression. Keeping to the company code may present challenges (especially if you’re in uniform) but generally, this is your opportunity to reflect an aspect of your true self – it might even act as a conversation starter!
It can be challenging to navigate but my thoughts are, you shouldn’t overthink it. If you are guarded all of the time, only making surface level connections, transactional exchanges, it’s more likely you won’t feel comfortable or make meaningful connections. So, how do we get the balance right?
Now and then I worry about ‘oversharing’ but take my cue from those around me – it’s a two way process. While it can make you feel vulnerable, you are likely to find that sharing something specific (whether it be details about your personal life, hobbies or family), is a great way of starting conversations, being open, building rapport and trust, Being your true self at work will help to potentially bond with your colleagues, through sharing common ground and life experiences.
It has to be in the right context. If someone only wants to hear about you and doesn’t reveal anything about themselves, or talks but doesn’t want to listen, it’s ok. It’s not realistic to connect with everyone but gage your audience, is it professional/appropriate. If so, being your true self in the workplace will help you build relationships and those relationships will vary person to person.
Be human, be comfortable, be your true self in the workplace. I’m sure you’ll find that the people around you feel more at ease when you show your true self. I don’t think there is a way to truly separate your true self from your work self.
For me, the people I come into contact with through the workplace (colleagues, clients and candidates) have often turned into friends. The lines can blur but ultimately, relationships and connections (personal and work) naturally evolve – only when you’re being your authentic true self.
