The Dangers of Working in an Environment Where You Can't Be Your True Self

What would you do if you got what appeared to be your dream job? A job working for an organisation that was on the face of it, a forerunner in their particular field. An organisation that was dynamic with its innovative approach to the service it delivered, only to find that you are required to work in ways that go against your core values. An environment that doesn’t allow you to be your true, authentic self?

This was the dilemma of a client of mine. She stayed in the job because she thought that she could make a difference. But the impact of working in an environment that didn’t allow her to be herself, started to take its toll. She was stressed. Her confidence took a blow and she started to believe that the problem was her.

It might seem fine at first

Staying in such an environment might be fine at first but over time it will start to take its toll on you. You may experience stress, frustration and feeling unfulfilled. You may not even realise that it is the environment you are working in that is having that affect on you.

At one of my workshops, when reviewing her values and those of the organisation she worked at, one of the participants had an aha moment when she realised that the way she was expected to treat customers did not align with her values. Suddenly she had found the reason why she was so unfulfilled and unhappy at work.

For leaders working in an environment that has is criticising and controlling and where they are unable to freely express themselves, can be very stifling if they themselves are not this way. It can chip away at your self confidence and if left undealt with, can cause you to start doubting yourself as a leader.

A client had been through some very challenging times at work. Her relationship with her line manager had broken down. Her manager was very critical of her and would often criticise her openly in board meetings. This had impacted her self confidence and she was very stressed. She was letting the behaviour of her manager wear her down.

The organisation was also very bureaucratic and other people were also affected by this person’s behaviour, but because of the bureaucracy, no one was prepared to challenge it.

It was on realising what the impact of working in such an environment was having on her that my client was able to see that the issue wasn’t her and that it was time for her to move on.

Don’t be a square peg in a round hole

The environment may even be a positive environment but it may be just that you are not the right fit for it. You may have entered a particular profession because that was expected of your or because you didn’t know what it was that you wanted to do. You may have joined the organisation because there were good promotional and financial prospects. But if you are not a fit for the environment, for example, you are creative but the environment is very process driven and bureaucratic, you may find it stifling being unable to express your creativity.

I have worked with many accountants and lawyers who entered the profession because their parents encouraged them to, or because it seemed secure and paid well, or because it seemed an obvious choice. But for some of them, having spent years climbing the ladder in the profession, they have got to a point where they are unhappy and totally unfulfilled. After years in the field, they realise that it is not for them.

One client had got to the point where she found she was constantly being distracted whilst at work with her thoughts constantly wandering on things other than what she needed to do. This was impacting her performance. Tasks which she could easily do were not getting completed. She was bored and under challenged and because of this, she wasn’t fully utilising her skills and working to her capacity. This was causing her to become easily distracted. She recognised that the thought of staying there for another year or two was unthinkable so did something about it.

What can you do?

Are you in a position where you are able to influence a change to the environment? If you are not, ask yourself, how will it feel working there in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years from now. If the thought of doing so fills you with absolute horror, it is time for you to think about moving on.

There are 3 things that you can do about it. You can do nothing and stay as you are. And if this is your option, think about how it will affect you long term.

The second option is to change the environment or influence change. However, if that is the culture of the environment and it is deeply ingrained, be prepared, because you will have a challenge on your hands.

The third option is to find an environment that allows you to be your true, authentic self. This may mean having to walk away from your dream job. But is it really a dream job if it is having such a negative impact on you?

Does your working environment align with who you are and allow you to be yourself? If it doesn’t, what will you do about it?

ABOUT ME:

I am The Coach for High Achieving Introverted Women, a Writer, Speaker, UK top 50 Business Adviser and the founder of Abounding Solutions. I help introverted women to be authentic, bold, confident leaders and excel in their careers and businesses.

I also help organisations develop the talent pipeline of female employees so that more women make it to senior management roles.

I write here on LinkedIn, on my website and on Huffington Post on subjects to help women achieve optimal potential in their careers and businesses.

Are you a high achieving introverted woman? A woman striving to be the best that you can be. A woman who wants to be a sphere of influence and be an authentic, bold, confident leader, excelling in your career or business. Do you want to make a difference and a positive impact in your respective field or community? Do you want to do this AND be true to who you are, whilst living a meaningful, purposeful, balanced life? If this is you and you're not part of the community, come on over and join the conversation here.