In 2021, are you going to bring your whole self to work?

2020 has been one of the most interesting years I have ever experienced. Not to say I have experienced countless years but in my twenty something years of living, I definitely haven't seen anything like this one. I know I’m not alone on this one. What’s most interesting about this year is the shared feeling across the whole world. The feeling of being even more connected whilst we ‘social distance’. The irony. Irrespective of where we are, who we are and what we believe in – we’ve all been forced to think more deeply about the world we live in and if it’s a world which works for everyone.

Social consciousness is precisely what we as a collective need to concentrate on, word to Karl Marx. No matter whether we are speaking to each other through a computer or get the opportunity to physically meet, we must remember to be conscious of each others reality. This brings me into the topic – bringing your whole self to work.

I remember when I first started working in the corporate world and my manager used to say to me ‘Marian I need you to bring your whole self to work - we need more of YOU’. If I lie to you now, I’ll say I knew exactly what he meant at the time...but I didn’t have a clue. However the Stacey Dash in me always replied ‘Yes, yes I will, I promise - just give me time’.  Time, time, and time. We will never have enough of it if we don’t use it wisely. If I knew what I know now, I would’ve actually stopped wasting ‘time’ and realised I had the chance to live then and bringing my whole self to work wasn’t something I necessarily needed ‘time’ to do but confidence.

Time went on and nothing changed. 

Why did it not change? The honest truth was not only did I not know how to, I also low-key did not have a clue what he meant. I mean, it’s not a ghost you’re seeing when I show up, right? It’s me. ‘What more do you want????’ was my real thought.

Couple years later ( Yes, years) I finally understand what it means to bring your WHOLE self to work. I mean sometimes I’m still a ghost when I show up at work due to being tired from the day before (it happens, don’t lie to yourself) but I am definitely now more comfortable, confident, proud, bold and ready to be exactly who I am. So, not the ‘work persona’ that I used to believe my colleagues wanted to see, but the real and authentic Marian Oyinade Diyaolu. If you take away one thing from 2020, it’s for us to realise there is no better time than NOW to be who you are and speak your truth. #SOROSOKE

Don’t get me wrong, I am still learning but here are some of the secrets I’ve learnt which will help you in bringing the real and whole you to work and not the ‘work version’ of you:

1. Be authentic; show up honestly. This sometimes means being honest with your colleagues on the days you aren’t feeling yourself. Nobody is 100% everyday. There is strength in vulnerability.
2. Be a team-player - be ready to learn from everyone in your team no matter what level they are on. Everyone wants to be heard. There is power in just listening. Be bold, set up calls with colleagues and just get to know them for ‘who they are’ and not 'what they do.’
3. Don’t be afraid to admit you have no clue what’s going on or what’s being spoken about. It’s okay not to know, that’s why you ask questions – to learn.
4. Show appreciation where it’s due and kill people with kindness.
5.  Stop fake-smiling at jokes you don’t find funny, it’s a waste of your time. Be bold in bringing up what you find funny with your colleagues, let them know YOU.
6.  Take ownership where you can; don’t be scared to make things your own. Dare to do things differently even if it seems like a risk. Even if it doesn’t work, you’ll learn from it.