Welcome to the new age of professionalism

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Ellie Middleton accidentally broke the internet. Three months ago, the 24-year-old asked on LinkedIn , “Can we please talk for a minute about the outdated idea of what is/isn’t professional?” In her post, Ellie shared a unique list of things she does that others may perceive as unprofessional. Spoiler: they aren’t.

In response, countless members shared posts inspired by Ellie’s. While many related on being outspoken about mental health or preferring to wear more casual attire over suits, others highlighted their tattoos and piercings or their constant use of emojis in emails.

Ellie, a personal brand manager at Manchester, U.K.-based Great Influence, sparked a movement that encouraged members to question what it means to be a professional today. She is even part of a larger LinkedIn campaign on the subject; Check it out by clicking here .

I talked with Ellie to find out what inspired her post and to learn what being a professional means to her (some quotes were edited for clarity).

What inspired you to create your post?

I was very new to LinkedIn, and I think I was very aware of the fact that I was quite early on in my career. I was new to personal branding and marketing. I was very aware of the fact that there were a lot of people already on the platform that knew technically a lot more than I did and had a lot more experience than I did. I didn't just want to kind of start posting and preaching to people who knew so much more than me about that topic. I think I was trying to find ways to kind of bring value. They can bring more value than me in the technical knowledge and the experience, but in what areas can I bring value that they can't? So just trying to see things in a different way.?

How do you challenge the idea of professionalism?

Something that I've actively noticed in this new job, particularly since I've realized that I'm neurodivergent, I think in the past I would always hold stuff back and think, "I'm not the boss. It's not my place to say anything. Just do what they tell you to do." And I think that's very much ingrained into you. Whereas I think now, I'm embracing my ideas and my creative side and questioning things. That's what my brain does differently to other people's. If I've thought something, I've said it, and that's been really well received. At the end of last week, Ash, my new boss, rang me and he was like, "The two things that impressed me most this week are your ideas and your bravery to speak up." That was a really nice thing for him to say because they're two things that I've consciously held back from in the past.

Is there a time when you did something others thought was unprofessional??

I got my hands tattooed when I was traveling, so I have quite a few tattoos on my arms. My parents were like, "What are you going to do when you come home when you want to get a real job?" And I was like, "I don't ever want a real job if it means I can't have tattoos on my hands." And I guess I've just been very lucky since the jobs that I’ve had haven't been bothered. I think that was the main thing. They were like, "Get a tattoo anywhere on your body. Why your hands?"

What does being a professional today mean to you??

I think it's showing up as yourself, doing your work to the best of your ability, caring about what you do and building relationships with the people around you. There's a saying that I like, “Do what you can with who you are, where you're at,” and I think that if you're always doing your best, just as yourself, wherever you are, then I think that's professional.

If you could give career advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Don't spend so much time worrying about what others think of you. Yes, you might be a bit different — but that doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you. You are a good person, and if people can't appreciate you then they're not worth your time. Focus on the ones that love you, rather than the ones that don't. You will never be able to please everyone. When you feel the most comfortable, and the most safe, is when your best work happens. Finding somewhere that you can show up as yourself will help you reach so much more of your potential.

Redefining what it means to be a professional

My conversation with Ellie got me thinking about how I redefine what it means to be a professional, so I created my own list.

• Things that don’t make me less professional: The fact that I openly talk about my struggles with anxiety, am learning not to be a ‘yes man,’ ask for help when I have too much on my plate, share personal things with my co-workers, prefer sneakers and jeans over heels and a suit and overuse exclamation points and emojis in my messages.
• Things that do make me professional: The fact that I am passionate about my work, love to learn and hear new ideas, have goals for myself and my career, welcome feedback and guidance from others, enjoy being creative and solving problems and value my relationships with my colleagues.

If you want to join the conversation, see Ellie’s post for inspiration. Also, be sure to check out Ellie’s newsletter , “(un)masked,” where she documents her life as a neurodivergent.

Embracing authenticity at work

The ways in which younger generations are challenging the “outdated” idea of professionalism plays to a larger conversation about authenticity at work. For years, people have been told to keep their work lives and personal lives separate. But as the world of work continues to evolve, these walls are no longer concrete. Now, conversations on topics such as mental wellness and work-life balance are being welcomed in workplaces, giving workers the space to open up about certain aspects of their personal lives.

Susan Harmeling , a diversity, equity and inclusion expert, told Forbes that embracing authenticity at work “increases your overall well-being and happiness, creates psychological safety that strengthens relationships, leads to higher job satisfaction, and gives rise to undeniable improvements in productivity.”?

So how do you bring your whole self to work? Communications expert Susan McPherson told Harvard Business Review that the key is vulnerability.?

She says people become more comfortable when you’re vulnerable and “come across as human, rather than a work contact.” Showing vulnerability and sharing personal details with colleagues can build meaningful relationships over time; It’s a skill that takes regular practice. However, McPherson warns that not everyone needs, or even deserves, to see this side of you.?

“Setting boundaries is important for a number of reasons,” she says. “It helps you preserve your time, prevents burnout, protects you from breaches of trust, and allows you to focus on the relationships that give you joy.”

Getting a pulse on Gen Z

• For Gen Z, fintech is normal: When it comes to financial-technology companies, Gen Z has different expectations than did millennials. While millennials sought the ease of mobile payments, Gen Z wants something more tailored to their individual needs and interests — like real-time data comparing them to peers or products linked to climate or social consciousness. Here’s what people are saying about the news .
• From job hopping to dream job: Chloe Chioy is a job hopper. At 21-years-old, she has worked five different jobs for about three months each. "It wasn’t as if I applied for each job with the goal of leaving," she shares with Fast Company , "but after a few months in each position, I felt burnt out and stuck." While some may think job hopping is a resume red flag, it actually landed Chioy her current position. Here’s what she has learned .
• How to keep young workers (remotely): Although people overwhelmingly want to keep remote work as a post-pandemic option, it can provide challenges for those early in their careers. Ceridian President Leagh Turner shares how to motivate young workers at the beginning of their careers. She suggests offering more exposure to leadership, formalizing mentorship, encouraging mobility, prioritizing connection and investing in onboarding. Here’s what others are advising .

Food for thought

Showing up as your authentic self

Nicole Fernandez-Valle recently revealed her pink hair on LinkedIn. A few years ago, she would have felt “self-conscious” to share her new look. Now she’s embracing it.

“Talent comes in all shapes, sizes, and (in this case) colors and that should never be in opposition with the idea of what 'professional' is supposed to look like.” — Nicole Fernandez-Valle, recruiter at Wix.com

??How do you bring your authentic self to work? Share in the comments below.