Revolutionary Solutions would like you to ponder this million-dollar question – Do you change depending on whom you are with? Many people will attest to having a “work personality” and a “home personality”. Why is this? Data shows that many people report adapting a persona to suit the setting. As humans, we are happier when we “fit in” because we feel a sense of belonging. We also are more likely to develop meaningful friendships with others in the group. Most of us learn as we grow to adopt a persona sometimes. We might feel we need to seem interested or professional, as though we are having a great and wonderful time when we would rather be at home taking a nap. Some people may advise that becoming a chameleon at work is the only way to have a successful career. But how do you become a chameleon at work with your coworkers and clients in order to fit in? Here are a few helpful tips:
- observe others
- listen to what others have to say
- explore and understand the office dynamics
- be flexible
- always appear positive and happy
- take calculated risks outside your comfort zone
Being professional while remaining true to yourself is possible. Why should you be yourself at work? There are many positive benefits, including:
- It takes less energy to be yourself
- Your work will be more aligned with your interests
- You will do a better job at work if you are happy
- it will strengthen your work relationships
Being yourself at work creates a more genuine workplace for you and your team. The first step to being yourself at work is getting comfortable with your talents, vulnerabilities, failures, and accomplishments. Once you can do that, then be open about them in the workplace. Sharing personal information at work has become the new norm, and it is okay to share some of your home life stories. Studies show that sometimes sharing your “home personality” at work can be good for your self-esteem and relationship growth. However, it is always best to consider what you share.
For starters, you should reflect on both your personal and career history and use them as a guide to choose which stories to share at work. Another idea you should consider before sharing any personal information is why you are choosing to disclose this information. Ask yourself, “Is this conversation helpful to the task at hand?” If you decide to disclose this information, remember to keep your story honest because you do not want embellishments to destroy your work creditability.
An additional helpful tip for you to remember is this: while it is socially acceptable to share personal stories, it is not socially acceptable in the work environment norms to overshare with intimate details. It can make some of your coworkers uncomfortable. Remember, there are boundaries with any conversation you have with another individual. The line is typically drawn at religion, politics, etc.
Join the Conversation
We are interested in your thoughts on being a work chameleon or simply not altering your personality at work. Let us know what you think by joining the conversation on Facebook and LinkedIn. As always, you can always get in touch with us by visiting our Contact us page to set up a complimentary consultation and learn more about how we can work together.
