The Power of You

What part of yourself do you leave at home when you go to work? Maybe you leave behind your really cool glasses and grab your rimless pair instead. Maybe you leave behind parts of who you really are. Are you as funny, compassionate, inquisitive or quirky as you are at home? What would you gain by going to work and allowing yourself to show and use all of yourself?

When I was practicing law, I left behind my love of asking questions and getting to know people. A quick “hello” at the coffee station seemed to be the right amount of non-billable talk, so only part of me showed up at work. I was playing the role of attorney instead of being one. This disconnect made me both lonely and paranoid. When I said “enough” and began connecting with people in my own way, good things followed. I found people were eager to share their ideas and stories with me. I was asked to be on the firm’s Diversity Committee. I was given frontline contact with some new clients because a partner thought my personality was a good match.

Now as a personal and professional coach for lawyers, my clients come to me looking for life and leadership guidance. Many are exhausted from hiding their authentic selves, from trying to “fit in.” This saps energy from their practice, family, friends, community, passions, and interests. Sometimes they have become so good at morphing into “who they should be” that they do not even know that they are leaving a part of themselves behind. What they do know and feel is the lack of connection with their work and workplace; they have moved away from their natural, most powerful state of being and are not having the impact they desire.

How do you show up at work as your authentic self? The answer is simple but not easy. What it requires is trust – in yourself; trusting you are enough and trusting what makes you different is what will bring real connection and success. Your firm or company will see you as a leader when your authentic self shows up at work. When your personality traits and strengths are utilized, your presence, motivation and enthusiasm will be recognized. Will you be the leader who gives everyone a voice, who easily builds trust with clients, who can lead the troops with respect under pressure, or who allows others to be their true selves by exquisitely modeling this behavior?

Take an inventory of how you think about yourself as a person at work and a person at play. What are the differences? What part of yourself are you afraid to bring to work? What part of yourself is right there, longing to be included at work? Maybe you want to say what you think even if it is unpopular or maybe you want to laugh more. Take a leap of faith – faith in yourself – and practice allowing these parts of your authentic self to show up at work. Notice how you can be happier and more effective by just being yourself.

Bianca Zick, CPCC, J.D., is a personal and professional coach who works with attorneys, executives and entrepreneurs. She practiced employment law at Dorsey & Whitney LLP. She can be contacted at bianca.zick@gmail or 612-578-3356. www.biancazickcoaching.com