Bring your ‘Whole Self’ To Work

BEING totally ‘present’ - and bringing one’s ‘whole self’ to the conversation or situation - is crucial in the workplace.

Unfortunately, being authentic is tough: especially if you are going through difficult situations at home or just having a ‘bad day’.

Also, many leaders struggle with their own engagement levels, and this can create further problems, as studies show engagement starts from the top.

In other words, when a leader is not bringing their ‘whole self’ to the workplace, the rest of their team also suffers.

This can also lead to reduced worker output, lower morale, and a growing sense of dissatisfaction across the organisation.

To help combat this, in a recent Conscious Company Media article, leadership expert Mary Mazzoni outlines five ways for leaders to do better at bringing their whole selves to work:

1. Live and lead by example

One of the most effective ways for an authentic leader to manage their team is to live and lead by example. Of course, this can be easier said than done, but if you ‘walk the talk’ - and remain open to advice and new ideas - you will succeed. The secret is to commit yourself to the path of authenticity. Interestingly, true authenticity is not a place many of us ever really reach. It is more an ongoing commitment that allows you to lead - become more aware of your blind spots and faults - and rectify them

2. Know when you are ‘putting up a front’

As leaders, we need to be intentional about self-observation - and to recognise when we are not ‘keeping it real’. This is because authenticity is like a muscle: ‘use it, or lose it’. One good tip is to be conscious of what you say and your internal thinking processes. In other words, be aware of the times when you say one thing - but feel differently on the inside. This will also help you shift your response from ‘controlled’ to ‘authentic’

3. Don’t be afraid of failure

Talking about failure can be challenging for some leaders - but it is one of the best ways to increase your authenticity. By admitting you make mistakes, and especially giving examples (or telling ‘failure stories’), you create a workplace that is much more open and authentic. Also, letting your team know ‘failure is ok’ is important: as it is often the only way to move forward

4. Take some ‘me-time’

Taking time out to reassess things, or recharge the batteries, is essential for leaders: and even more so when you are under pressure or extreme stress. When you are feeling overwhelmed, there is no shame in taking time to step back and reflect on how you really feel and why. Take some air, get out in nature, or simply meditate and reflect on things for a while. If you are really overwhelmed of course, you can always delegate certain tasks: or learn to say ‘no’ in order to reorient your time and energy towards what really matters to you

5. Face up to that ‘one employee’

We have all experienced it: the awkwardness and discomfort of dealing with that ‘certain employee’ who simply doesn’t click with you. Of course, any leader wanting to bring their ‘whole self’ to work must be able to deal with this, and it’s not as hard as it might seem. Believe it or not, studies have shown the answer is to tackle such challenging relationships head-on. Indeed, this not only fosters a more authentic workplace - but can even pave the way for a new friendship!