It’s pretty much standard procedure to split yourself into different personalities, especially when you are building a business. You are one way with family, one way with friends, another way with strangers and a more refined way with business associates and co-workers. There is a certain air of professionalism that is expected with the latter: political correctness, politeness, unspoken rules of respect and so on.
Although adhering to these unspoken rules is not necessarily too restrictive, it does force us to push down who we are as an individual. It is assumed that who we are professionally is not as liberal in expression as who we are as a person. We have to watch what we say, how we act and how much of ourselves we are allowed to reveal.
Just like society expects parents should be on top of having “well-behaved children,” so are we expected to display a certain amount of polished decorum in the workplace.
But where can we draw the line between being a career-induced robot and unique individual? After all, most business relationships are built on relatability, a sense of trust and that strategic advantage of standing out from the crowd that makes us different from competitors or industry associates.
If we are inclined to wear these professional masks, how do we reveal what we as human beings have to offer? How can we strike that balance between what’s expected of us and what makes us distinctive?
It lies within your messaging and communications techniques. Here is where you can let part of your personality shine without veering too far off the business ledge. That’s not to say that if you are the life of the party at home, that it’s appropriate to bring in your full range of jokes, but there is certainly a place for light-hearted humor and amusement. You shouldn’t deny that part of your persona.
Your uniqueness can play a role in how you deliver your message.
If you are of the jovial, outgoing nature “in real life,” then mediums in which you can tastefully evoke laughter or camaraderie while supporting your message, such as vlogging or speaking engagements, allow you to show a more personable side. People love getting to know who they are working with, and that added touch could just give them that extra boost of confidence they need to forge ahead with a business relationship.
If you tend to be introverted and uncomfortable in expressing yourself verbally, let those creative presentation slides unleash all the talent that you have to reveal. Dazzle with data and efficiency and create a vision in others’ minds without you having to speak the words. Not everyone needs to be a spotlight hog to shine and succeed.
If you tend to be emotional, don’t be afraid to bring that into your messaging because it may effectively reach more potential customers than if you played it cool and cold. Sure, crying in front of your boss is considered taboo (though an old boss of mine always had Kleenex ready for me without judgment), you’d be amazed at how connecting the way you would react to a product, service or situation would more powerfully connect to others the same way. Emotions speak louder than jargony catchphrases.
Think about what makes you different in your personal life; what do others compliment you on? Why do they love and trust you? Take that advantage and see how you can work that into your business plan. You just may find that it’s not as restrictive a mask to wear once we allow the right integration of who we are with what we offer.
In the end, it’s not really a product or outcome that is being purchased; it’s us and our authenticity.
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