When I started my career in HR there was a very distinct unwritten rule – be a robot. Don’t be yourself because authenticity is weakness, and of course, don’t ever, ever cry.
Companies often talk about people being their most valued asset, but they very rarely live this truth. Can you be yourself at work? Truly? Can you show your tattoos and talk about your same-sex partner or the fact that you cross-dress at night? Your religion? Can you honestly and openly discuss your passions? Can you share your crying-baby-induced fatigue story, or do you simply arrive, log in and put your work face on?
We all share an idea of our best ‘work-selves’, but does this mean that we must check our ‘home-selves’ at the door? I love what I do, and I am proud of my role, but before all else I am a mother, a sister, a wife, a daughter and a friend.
“Never before in story or rhyme, not even once upon a time, has the world ever known a you my friend, and it never will, not ever again.” - Nancy Tilman
We initiated this discussion by posting content that related to our ideology on the HR office wall. I think it’s important to remind ourselves daily of why we are here; whether it’s to drive a fast car, to put our children through school, to buy our mother the house she has always deserved or to spend our salaries on Florida road.
The Wall is a constant reminder that we are humans before we are employees and I think it’s working. People were hesitant at first to add to The Wall, so I went first – I am an Executive (show no weakness, don’t expose yourself) and so it was hard to post a photo of my son on The Wall. I felt vulnerable and ‘exposed’ (the Executive is human!).
Today I walked in and looked at that wall, almost completely covered with personal nuggets and glimpses into the ‘human’, and it filled me with genuine joy and pride. Every time I look up from my desk, I see the team, but I also see their families, their pets, their goals, their hearts.
Step into yourself at work today and share your humanity with the world!
