3 ways to keep it real and stay Professional!
By: Neil Patrick G. Nepomuceno
Balancing authenticity and professionalism can sometimes feel like walking a tight rope but there’s a sweet spot where you’re free to be real without compromising credibility.
Create a ‘personal brand’
Whether it’s your LinkedIn profile photo or your latest Instagram Story, you want your authenticity and professionalism to come across as intentional. You want to make sure that your real–self aligns with the message you want to send to your colleagues.
Be mindful of your tone
Tone can make or break how people perceive you at work. E-mails and messaging platforms can lack the nuances of in-person communication, so even the simplest statements can easily be misinterpreted.
One practical approach is to read through your messages and emails before hitting send, visualizing how they’d sound to someone who knows nothing about you.
Respect Professional Boundaries
Get to know your teammates and apply the best ways to approach them. You may start by sending a message before calls, setting a calendar invite days before the meeting, and checking their status or “working hours” before reaching out.
In conclusion, balance is less about rigid rules and more about understanding your personal brand, knowing your audience, and setting healthy boundaries.
Start the year right by learning more #CareerTips here!