For years, professionalism has been associated with leaving emotions, vulnerabilities, and parts of our true selves at the door when we step into work. We’ve been taught that being professional means being polished, controlled, and objective at all times. But the truth is, when we filter out who we really are, we’re not just holding back emotions – we’re holding back ideas, skills, and potential.
Being human at work doesn’t mean oversharing personal struggles or letting emotions dictate decisions. It means recognising that people are not machines – workplaces are built on relationships, trust, and collaboration. When leaders create an environment where people feel safe to be themselves, they unlock higher levels of engagement, creativity, and motivation.
Being yourself at work is professional
There’s a misconception that bringing your whole self to work is unprofessional. That somehow, in order to be taken seriously, you must edit parts of yourself out – your humour, your personality, your quirks. But being your real self doesn’t mean being unfiltered or inappropriate. It means using your strengths, experiences, and values to contribute in a meaningful way.
Plus pretending to be someone you’re not is exhausting. It also sets an unrealistic expectation for others, making them feel they need to conform rather than contribute in their own unique way.
Leaving part of yourself at the door is a waste of potential
If you feel like you can’t fully be yourself at work, you’re likely holding back energy, ideas, and perspectives that could make a real impact. The same goes for your team. When people feel they have to constantly filter themselves, they’re not showing up as their most engaged, creative, or confident selves.
Think about the skills and experiences you’ve developed outside of work. Maybe you’ve navigated complex personal challenges, managed difficult relationships, or developed resilience in ways that don’t fit neatly into a CV. Those experiences shape your ability to lead, problem-solve, and connect with others. If you’re suppressing those insights in a work setting, you’re not just limiting yourself – you’re limiting the impact you could be making.
Leaders set the tone
As a leader, the culture of your team is shaped by what you role model. If you create an environment where people feel they have to be ‘work versions’ of themselves, they will hold back, and you will miss out on their best thinking.
Making it safe for your team to be themselves doesn’t mean sacrificing high standards or professionalism. It means showing that respect, authenticity, and performance go hand in hand. It’s about listening, recognising individual strengths, and creating an environment where people don’t just survive at work – they thrive.
Small steps to make a big difference
Being human at work isn’t about making dramatic changes overnight. It starts with small but deliberate steps:
- Lead by example – Show up as yourself. Be open about your experiences, admit when you don’t have all the answers, and encourage honest conversations.
- Make space for real conversations – Take time to check in with people, not just about tasks but about how they’re doing. A culture of psychological safety starts with small moments of genuine connection.
- Encourage individuality – Recognise that success looks different for everyone. Support people in ways that help them do their best work, whether that’s through flexible working, different communication styles, or tailored development opportunities.
Being human at work is not a ‘nice to have’ – it’s essential for building engaged, high-performing teams. When people feel safe to be themselves, they bring their best ideas, work harder, and contribute more fully. If you’re a leader, ask yourself: what can you do today to make it easier for your team to show up as their whole selves?
Being human at work is just one bitesized learning within my leadership methodology – the Lucidity Success System. You can access the entire Lucidity Success System as well as the Lucidity Leadership Library when you join my membership community – the Lucidity Network.