People in the professional world often hide behind what they perceive to represent professionalism: formality, adherence to and reliance upon hierarchies of authority (titles, reporting lines) speaking in jargon and cliches, adopting Alpha personalities that do not represent their true selves, dressing in suits and other imperious getups, and obsessing over process.
It is startling how many fakers are out there, faking it through the day … blowing all kinds of smoke. The outfits, the postures, the mind-numbing conformity. It’s pervasive and exhausting.
As a member of the corporate world, I participate in the fakery. I play the game when needed. Yet I also strive to achieve a level of authenticity and integrity: to be my true self. Talk like I talk. Communicate like I communicate. Dress like I dress. Be who I am.
Early on in my career, both my Dad and one of my most influential mentors — two very powerful and successful men in business – urged me to “be myself” in order to succeed. It took a while for me to let go of the faux formality that I thought was “businesslike” and adopted my own style and personality. I quickly learned how much better, and effective, it is to be real.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I notice this most in kinda dying professions. Realtors and old-school HR pros are two groups who are likely to rock the faux-mality, perfect manicures, and easter-colored business suits. I wonder if the more threatened people feel that their job may go away, the more people feel like they have to “look the part?”
Probably true, Frannyo. If you really know your stuff, your confidence will probably be evident. If you aren’t so sure? Dress for success, Baby!