Companies love to use mission and value statements to attract talent. They often read, “We here at the Cool Company are looking for”
- Innovators
- Pre-emptive problem fixers
- Creative thinkers
- Courage for tough conversations
- Leaders, even if not by title.
Be aware that there is fine print. It says to do everything we stated above, but keep these three things as a guideline.
- Specific permission
- From those in control
- That benefits whoever is in charge
I know this kills the mood, but not having this awareness saves you so much internal politics. Your expectations are better corroborated for the long term.
The disconnect exists because, as great as the slogan “bringing your whole self to work” sounds, it is not always about what you bring but also how you are received.
The whole self involves two characteristics: vulnerability and trust. It is unlikely that people will bring much of themselves to work if these two components are not present. As you can imagine, these are not precisely things your job often focuses on, so it isn’t easy to get it right in most cases.
Most of us work in hierarchical systems that almost constantly evaluate our performance. In this high-stakes environment, our egos will want to protect us.
Like a game of pick-up ball. If it’s a one-on-one affair or if a crowd starts to form. Remember, evaluative nature is a natural drive to win, and you want to be seen as a good player.
It is to competent than trust and vulnerability are built over time and experience with people that you have a shared sense of purpose
The self that the workplace values is the one that doesn’t disrupt; it loves things to fit into a box. Bring your most authentic self that meets the requirements of your job description.