To what extent should you actually reveal your genuine self at the workplace?
Published in HBR, February 2021
In today's fast-paced business world, balancing authenticity and professionalism is crucial for building meaningful relationships and achieving career success. Sheryl Sandberg, a renowned business executive, and Howard Schultz, another industry leader, emphasize the importance of being authentic at work to form strong connections with colleagues and peers.
When it comes to starting fresh relationships at work, it's best to select a few respected and trusted individuals with whom better relationships are desired. However, trusting everyone at work could backfire, and hiding your true self could reduce chances of forming meaningful relationships.
To be authentic at work, it's essential to identify your core values and align them with your professional actions. This can mean having difficult conversations or proposing innovative solutions that reflect your personal beliefs. Emotional honesty is also key, as acknowledging your feelings without being overwhelmed by them can foster openness and trust. Developing a consistent communication style that feels natural to you ensures your communication is authentic while maintaining professionalism.
Building meaningful relationships at work involves active listening and reciprocity, transparency, and empowerment. Practicing active listening helps understand team members' needs and perspectives, while tailoring actions to reciprocate their support fosters trust and collaboration. Being open about challenges and areas where you need support creates a culture of honesty and mutual assistance. Empowering team members by giving them opportunities to contribute meaningfully strengthens relationships and encourages collaboration.
Maintaining professionalism is crucial for building trust and respect. Clear and concise communication minimizes misunderstandings, while consistency in actions and words builds trust. Establishing clear professional boundaries, such as maintaining a professional online presence and understanding how social media impacts professional relationships, is essential. Leaders should also set an example by maintaining a good work-life balance, which can involve flexibility but also defining personal and professional boundaries clearly.
Remembering and sharing information that may help a colleague can strengthen your relationship, as can being generous in offering help without expecting anything in return. Sharing something personal and vulnerable can make people more friendly and comfortable interacting, while acknowledging a colleague's inputs and thanking them shows appreciation and encourages further collaboration.
Doing what one loves and doing it well is considered more meaningful than any metric, as stated by Kevin Systrom. Focusing on making deep connections at work can lead to enjoyment and prevent major career hiccups. By integrating these strategies, you can cultivate a professional environment where authenticity and effectiveness coexist, fostering meaningful relationships and career success.
In the realm of personal growth and career development, balancing one's lifestyle with authenticity and professionalism is pivotal for nurturing educational self-development, as well as for building strong relationships and achieving success. To establish meaningful connections at work, one should identify trusted people with whom better relationships are desired, while maintaining a degree of professionalism by being transparent, practicing active listening, and offering help generously. This holistic approach to work relationships transcends merely professional relations, promoting a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and mutual support, contributing to personal and professional growth.
