Is this the real you?

This is me! No make up, no filters, no mask, not hiding any parts of who I am on the inside or the outside.

Are you able to be who you really are in the workplace? It's an important question to ask ourselves.

This is very much dependent on the workplace culture of you current setting. Often we adjust to into the culture of the workplace we are working in, displaying parts of who we are that fit in, and perhaps masking parts that don’t. This can serve us well in the short term, but are we truly being our authentic selves and able to express who we really are? We are limiting part of what we can bring to this workplace and our job role.

I have definitely been in working environments where I have first sussed out the workplace culture and then adjusted to fit in. This can easily happen early in our career, where we perhaps lack the confidence in our own ability and don’t yet feel comfortable in our new workplace. However, it can still be a challenge later on in our careers too.

I have worked in settings, that by nature, were very hierarchical. This structure is part of the workplace culture and is embedded in the history of how this organisation has functioned for generations. This could be where you feel at home, or this type of culture can make you feel like you don’t quite fit in or perhaps it’s not the right place for you.

Another setting I worked in had an amazingly inclusive workplace culture. Our Senior Director would check in with everyone in the meeting at every level to check their understanding and belonging in the group. This was exceptional management and promotion of an inclusive workplace culture. It made us all feel like part of a team and gave us a huge sense of belonging. Key aspects for psychological safety at work.

Today I challenge you to think about your workplace.

Do you feel like you can be your authentic self?

Are you having to mask or hide parts of who you are to fit in?

Is there anything you can do to adjust your workplace culture or make your workplace more inclusive?

Check out The My Whole Self: A Guide to creating inclusive workplace cultures, from Mental Health First Aid England