This week I’m writing about something I’m especially passionate about. I believe that everyone has a right to be themselves in their business. As business owners, we’re privileged – we no longer have to follow other people’s rules to fit in. No more feeling like we need to dress or speak in a certain way, or to work to a set schedule. We’re totally free to be whoever we want to be.
Why you should bring your personality to work
Because:
- It’s energising, refreshing and inspiring
- It’s the only way to let your strengths and talents really shine through
- It’ll enable you to do your very best work for your clients
- It’ll help you attract more of your ideal clients who share your values – and turn away those who don’t
- It’ll help you stand out because you are what makes your business unique – especially if you’re providing a personal service that’s based on trust
And because frankly it’s hard work trying to be someone you’re not. If you try to be anyone other than yourself, your impact will be much less and your clients will simply see through the veneer.
So what does being you in business really mean?
Being yourself means the freedom to express your personality in:
- How you dress
- How you write and speak
- The colours and designs you use to represent your business
- Everything in your business should scream and shout you!
It’s exciting and liberating. But this newly found freedom also brings some things you need to think carefully about.
Being you means:
- Being the best version of yourself – you still have to be ‘professional’ even if you now get to determine what that means
- Being consistent and managing expectations – if you’re an accountant who likes to dress casually, make sure your clients know they’ll be meeting someone in jeans and trainers rather than a pin-striped suit
- Making sure that ‘you’ fit the brand that you’re building for your business
- Deciding how much of you to share publicly – using your personality doesn’t mean sharing every personal fact about your life and your family. Set some boundaries and stick to them.
Over to you…
What does being ‘you’ mean to you in your business? Have you loved the freedom to do whatever you want? Or have you felt a new uncertainty because there are no guidelines? I’d love to hear about your experiences – please share them below.
Thank you for reading.
Until next time.
Lucy
Photo credit: Azrul Aziz via Unsplash