Forbes Coaches Council
Kim Svoboda, CEO of Aspiration Catalyst® featured in Forbes
Workplace Culture Doesn’t Align with Your Authentic Self? 14 Tips
In a professional setting, being your most authentic self can help you forge open and honest working relationships, as demonstrating authenticity and transparency helps one come across as genuine and trustworthy. However, there are times when you may feel compelled to conform to cultural or organizational norms in your workplace that don’t align with your own personal values or morals.
Here are valuable tips on what to do about it:
Evaluate the Gap Between Your Work Culture And Authentic Self
“Is it manageable? If it is, then find the alignment between who you are and the cultural or organizational norms and explore ways to increase that synergy. Where is the misalignment, and what is within your power to lessen the chasm? Are there allies who could help you navigate the challenges? Solicit their help. If the gap is too big, it might be time to find a new employer”. - Kimberly Svoboda, Aspiration Catalyst
Assess Next Steps To Find Greater Freedom Of Choice
The ideal solution is to choose to work for companies that allow you to show up as your authentic self. The reality is different, however, as many opt to work for a company, at least in the short term, in order to support their families. In these situations, assessing next steps—determining what kind of training would give you greater freedom of choice, figuring out what you can influence or what is under your control and so on—becomes critical. - Elizabeth S.
Consider How You Hold Yourself In Relation To Others
What is genuine or authentic for us changes as we grow. When arriving at a meeting, how do you choose to show up? Rushed and angry, upbeat and collaborative or open and present? Authentic self-expression is projected by how we hold ourselves in relation to others. Bringing forth our authentic selves in ways that contribute to company performance creates standout leaders with unique capabilities. - Jessica H.
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