A Revolutionary Act: Being Yourself At Work

August 3rd, 2012 - By C. Cleveland

Being authentically you at work is a revolutionary act because no one else is doing it. Research has found that despite evidence that authenticity makes for a better workplace, most people don’t place any importance on it. Most workers are too caught up in impressing management to vocalize what they’re really thinking and feeling.

The discrepancy between who black women really are and the expectations outside groups have of us shows that we can’t afford the luxury of being fake. We are tackling two sets of assumptions by being black and women. These assumptions will never go away if we continue to tiptoe around them.

Research shows that suppressing one’s true identity may result in exposure to discriminatory behavior because you come off as “one of us.” Individuals who embrace their social identity can drive co-workers to be more sensitive to their behavior, even outside of the workplace.

I’m not advocating for being without a filter on the job; I want everyone to remain employed. Just let some of the personality you reserve for friends and family shine through. It probably won’t be easy. Cultures clash before they blend. You’re probably in for at least one awkward conversation. But it will be worth it in the long run. Bringing greater authenticity to the office has the potential to expose prejudiced behavior, smash assumptions, and just might make us happier in the process.

Cortney Cleveland is a freelance writer and content strategist in New York City. You can follow her on Twitter @CleveInTheCity and visit her personal column The Red Read.

 

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  • Negress

    They are quick to label. Don’t let them bait you. They’ll try you. When you manifest, they’ll say why all the hostility? While you stand next to an overturned desk. Don’t let that be you.

    • Chicky_PhD

      That’s important to be aware of. Sometimes an urging of “being yourself” can be a way to bait you to “act a fool”. It’s important to be smart about what you disclose and how authentic you are. We are still black women in America; which means standards for judgment and evaluation will be different.

  • awet

    I understand what this article is implying but one should choose carefully what parts of themselves they should disclose at work. I work in a work culture that is half professional/half casual with about 85% of the entry- to mid- level staff is under 30. My beige co-workers curse aloud, have emotional breakdowns, come to work late, leave early, discuss their most ratchet business publicly and are basically able to do as they please as long as they get the work done. Although I have accepted this as the work culture, I would not dare “be myself” or “do what I want!” I’ve seen a black male co-worker follow their lead and be secretly be labeled as “lazy” and “full of himself” by our counterparts.

    • Chicky_PhD

      I completely agree with your statement!

  • nia

    This article hits home. I am dealing with this right now in the workplace where I am working temporarily. It is an extremely uptight corporate environment right off of Wall Street. And I hold my tongue so much when I want to comment on others rudeness. When I was exiting the building through the revolving doors, I let a few people go and this white man pushed me out of the way and said “there is a line, you know” when clearly there wasn’t. I wan’t to say “Man fck your imaginary line”, but as a young black professional woman I chose to say nothing. Then I asked a co-worker a few questions about a last minute project I was assigned (mind you I have been here under two months) and her response was “use common sense”. Really?! I wanted to smack her upside the head or at least remark back, but once again I held my tongue. Seriously though, if it happens again I will have to say something.
    I honestly feel if I wasn’t so nice as I assume I have to be, then I would be permanently employed and with an extremely high position at the age of 26. I’m a great worker, but this “angry black woman” stigma has really held me back in life.
    I’m tired of it and I just have to tell myself, “no more!”

    • sabrina

      “Man, fck your imaginary line!” LMFAO i love it!! but omg, they’re SO RUDE!!!

    • Chicky_PhD

      It’s really a double-edged sword. On the one hand, we HAVE to be nice as black women to combat the “angry black woman” stereotype. Let’s face it, any sign of indignation or frustration will almost automatically result in people thinking we are “angry”. This results in us having to pick our batttles. On the other hand, being more authentic will help ease a lot of workplace stress; however, we have to be aware that this may open us up for more criticism that our counterparts may not necessarily recieve. It’s a fine line we have to walk; especially in the work place. It may not always be as “simple” as “being real”. Let’s be honest, some people ARE racist or sexist or bigoted or biased, etc. and they may criticize us regardless. In some ways I think “being nice” serves as a protection for many black women in a, often times, unfair and biased work enviornment and world.