Why is it Important to be Yourself at Work?

With firms taking the effort to build truly diverse and inclusive workplaces, individuals from all over the world with very different interests, following very different cultures, and holding very different values come together to work as a team. There is no question that people who are in the workplace minority find it difficult to communicate with others and build strong interpersonal relationships, not only because of considerable language barriers but also because of apprehension.

As a result, it may be a possibility for them to try adding activities that will assist them in being involved in those hobbies that other people like. But is becoming and acting the same way help you interact with others? Deepa Purushothaman, a corporate inclusion pioneer, delves into the issue and highlights a few reasons why it is critical to be yourself at work in order to not only feel confident but also to bring out your best personality.

The importance of being yourself at work

It might be difficult to express your own thoughts and opinions about anything when you are concerned about being criticized or rejected. Deepa, on the other hand, says that the first step towards being yourself at work is to practice being open about how you feel. She also believes it is critical to normalize conversations about topics that have traditionally been seen as taboo.

Another factor she discusses that prevents most individuals from being themselves at work is the fear that if they begin to express their own beliefs and interests, they may begin to feel more different than they did before.

One of the most compelling arguments she makes in the podcast is that our power stems from who we are, not what our heritage was. It is critical that you let go of ideas that no longer serve your personality in order to be yourself at work. She goes on to say that one of the most prevalent issues that prevent individuals from being themselves at work is that they typically consider doing so after they get to take charge of a senior position.

They usually think about this because they believe that being in a senior position provides them the authority to do things the way they want to. Deepa, on the other hand, believes that being yourself at work becomes even more difficult if you are in charge of a senior position since you must exert greater control over your conduct and actions.

Deepa says that the ability to be yourself at work comes from inside and that if you do not practice it while at entry level, it will become much more difficult to do so if you advance to a more senior position. She proposes making changes in the workplace so that everyone feels free to express themselves anytime they want.

Finally, rather than suppressing your differences, it is urged that you develop the guts to speak up about them. Only when you are confident in your own personality will you be able to be yourself at work successfully.

It is imperative to be yourself not just at work but also in every other aspect of your life. If you find it difficult, the preceding material will help you obtain a clear viewpoint, as well as a few approaches.