Why showing up as your best self matters
“The beauty of people is we all bring something unique. When you bring your best self, you’ll find complementarity with others, and that’s when great things happen.”
Jessie Davie, Director of Learning and Communications, Maliasili.
Do you feel compelled to mold yourself to fit into your work or professional setting? Do you feel pressure to speak a certain way, or do your work the same way as others? You’re not alone. Showing up in the workplace as who you are - regardless of age, background, gender, experience, religion, work preferences and habits - is easier said than done.
But when people are encouraged to be themselves in the workplace, they tend to be happier and more engaged. Even better, an organization’s overall performance can improve.
We asked our team to share why they think showing up authentically at the workplace matters. Here’s what they said.
It is key to building relationships within teams.
Building genuine relationships is hard if you don't show up as your whole, authentic self. This includes sharing aspects of your personal life. You don’t need to share all the nitty gritty details, but what happens outside of work - the good and hard - affects a person and you should let your colleagues in on it. As a manager, if you don't know what's happening in someone's life, if they have to present a 'fake persona,' it can be difficult to understand performance fluctuations or what kind of support they might need to excel. Conversely, as a team member, if you're honest with your manager about who you are, your working style, and what's going on in your life, it's easier for your manager to help you thrive.
Elizabeth Singleton, Chief Operating Officer
It builds trust.
If you can’t trust your team with who you are, you cannot expect the team to trust you. Because they are essentially getting a ‘mask’ of the person you are. Start by trusting yourself - you’re where you are for a reason.
Omagano Shooya, Manager, Southern Africa Portfolio
It helps your passion shine.
To be successful when you’re networking, trying to make connections with people, or trying to build partnerships, you need to have fun and speak from the heart. If you’re trying to be someone else, it’s impossible to be that. Lean into your strengths, including what you care about and believe in.
Fred Nelson, CEO
It creates room for you to be vulnerable and imperfect in a positive way.
You need to feel comfortable with being imperfect and practice vulnerability. It's important to realize that the things you might feel sensitive and vulnerable about, or the things you aren't great at or struggling with, create room for your team to give you advice that will help you improve your skills. Don't pretend to know things you don't know.
For leaders, realizing that there's no formula for what a leader looks like is also key. Understand that you've been put in that position because you have specific skills, ideas, and qualities that benefit your role. Be confident in yourself. I've noticed that when leaders are entirely relaxed and comfortable with themselves, it allows their teams to do the same.
Karine Nuulimba, Southern Africa Portfolio Director
Authenticity doesn't have a sell-by date.
Authenticity doesn't fade; it doesn't have a sell-by date. Eventually, your true self will come out, so why delay it? It will be less work for you and everyone else if you show up as your authentic self from the start, being very clear on what you stand for and your values. This is the DNA of what helps you execute and do your work.
Additionally, when you're not authentic, it doesn't take too long for people to figure it out. Embrace yourself fully, and create an environment for your team to do the same.
Njenga Kahiro, East Africa Portfolio Director
It creates positive experiences for you and others, and builds self-awareness and confidence.
I always try to come with my best energy. So I work to ensure I'm in a good space when I arrive at an event or attend a meeting. Because I know how I show up directly affects my experience, and everyone's experience with me. So if I need to spend 10 minutes sitting quietly or reading something that helps me present the best version of myself, I'll take the time to do it. But I present the best version of me, not of someone else.
I also encourage practicing humility and self-awareness to build authenticity, and having a certain level of belief and confidence that what you bring to the table is useful.
Anna Davis, Head of Leadership Programs
Steps towards showing up authentically
Start with self-awareness.
Authenticity begins with knowing who you are. What are your strengths and areas of improvement? How do you manage your emotions in the workplace, and what are your core values? Is your perception of who you are aligned with your colleagues and peers? Allowing yourself to be vulnerable while asking yourself critical questions can lead you to greater self-awareness, helping you show up more genuinely.
As a leader, create an inclusive organizational culture.
To create an environment where people are truly themselves, teams must build a culture where different personality tendencies and types are accepted and celebrated. For example, some people are more extroverted and like to think out loud, and others need time on their own. Some people like clear plans; others prefer to adapt. All these approaches and tendencies are okay, and they should be valued. They contribute to building a strong, diverse team, and every individual brings something unique to the table.
For leaders, creating a culture that embraces diversity in all its forms - tribe, gender, race, religion, and more - is critical in allowing authenticity. And by building on other foundations of effective teams, such as promoting active listening and providing timely feedback, leaders can also create the best environment to nurture individuals within their organizations.
Similarly to everything in life, draw boundaries.
Like every other facet of life, self-regulation is essential, even when being yourself. You don't need to sacrifice boundaries. Very personal confessions or strong opinions on sensitive topics can be awkward for most people who aren't close family members or best friends. Remembering to stay professional in the workplace matters. But strategically sharing your experiences, such as when there are lessons to learn, can help to humanize and connect you to your colleagues.
Understand the context.
Taking the time to understand your context - be it the culture of the society in which you work - is important in how you present yourself and learning what works and doesn't when connecting with colleagues. This is especially true for organizations that have teams from different countries. Understanding and respecting context and culture also helps create a cohesive environment, which allows people to feel more comfortable and open.
Remember, it takes practice.
Learning to present your authentic self in the workplace, while achieving the right balance between being vulnerable, open and 'real' takes time, skill, and effort. It does not happen overnight, but with enough practice, it leads to a more fulfilled experience for both leaders and their teams.