Why Being Yourself at Work is Your Secret Weapon

Why be average in business when you can be authentic? If you ask us, average is overrated, and the importance of being yourself far outweighs fitting the mold. True authenticity allows you to shine. You set yourself up for opportunity. You surprise people. You’re memorable. You’re relatable. You’re happier. You get to create your own unique story. Ultimately, you thrive.

Let’s take a look at a few specific ways that being yourself at work can be your very own secret weapon in your growing career.

Being yourself is a powerful way to attract the right people. When you are transparent with your intentions and open about your goals, it’s easier to find people who are aligned with your vision. In building a team, this minimizes turnover and ensures that you are spending your time and energy with the right people.

Authenticity is crucial in winning hearts and minds. When you’re true to yourself as a leader, you stick to your principles no matter the time, place, or circumstance. For the most part, you behave the same in your professional capacity as you do in your personal life. You say what you mean and you mean what you say. Your consistency, trustworthiness, and strength of character make people want to follow you.

There is power in vulnerability. Openness and transparency are qualities that make you magnetic as a leader. Your team members want to know that you’re fallible, like they are, and that you can admit to your mistakes. They want the assurance that you’re in this together; and by being yourself, you show them that you are. Not only does your realness earn you the respect of your team members, but it inspires them to make mistakes and keep going too.

Being genuine is essential to being persuasive. Whether or not you’re in a ‘sales’ role in the traditional sense of the word, sincerity is the most effective way to convince another person to act. Many salespeople believe they have to speak in a special tone of voice or adopt a sugary demeanor to be effective – but it’s exactly the opposite. Customers hate a cliché sales pitch – and they can tell when you’re not comfortable in your own skin. Being your (professionally mannered) self reduces skepticism and allows for natural conversation to flow, which in turn, sets the stage for a sale.

When you’re comfortable being yourself, you’re less sensitive to the opinions of others. While you appreciate the well-intentioned advice of your loved ones, you don’t feel the need to please everyone. You have the confidence to make tough decisions about what’s best for your future – even if those decisions are unpopular with your family members and friends. The ability to follow your own path is a super power that will take you far in your career.

Being yourself increases positivity. Why? Well, firstly, because embracing your individuality just feels good! It is incredibly freeing to stop trying to be someone you’re not. But secondly, instead of wasting your precious energy trying to fit in, you get to focus on building a life that has meaning to you. Tackling your authentic “why,” rather than emulating what’s popular, gives you purpose. This purpose transcends whatever bumps you face along the road and inspires you to get back on the horse after facing a setback. When you’re honest with yourself about what you really want in life and you’re actively taking steps to achieve your goals, you can’t help but to be .

Do you have a story about how being yourself at work has paid off in your own career? Tweet us at @Cydcor. We’d love to hear it!

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We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales and marketing services located in Agoura Hills, California. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company to garnering a reputation for consistently exceeding client expectations and driving outstanding revenue growth, Cydcor has been helping Fortune 500 and emerging companies achieve their customer acquisition, retention, and business goals since 1994. Cydcor takes pride in the unique combination of in-person sales, call center, and digital marketing services we offer to provide our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.