The need to bring one’s “whole self to work” was always so weird to me. This is why professionalism has suffered imo, your work self cannot be the same as your friend self! I’d also add the misguided approach many younger ppl have around understanding carefully networking and collegial relationships and how that’s so important for the future of their careers. They frame this as “I do my work and go home, I’m not here to make friends.” Like… you’ll need ppl to vouch for you in future job recommendations, you absolutely need to socialize and make some impression on your colleagues and bosses.
All of this!!! I hate the whole self conversation, it is bizarre. I'd argue that crafting a work persona is a skill, just like networking, and relationship building. A skill that (some) have disregarded as unnecessary because they don't understand the value in it or haven't developed the skill. It's so critical for all the reasons you mentioned. As always, I appreciate your POVs!
This is why I’m happy to mentor and give recommendations to younger people and colleagues when I can. They need to stop listening to this nonsense! The smart ones are proactive and know how to build relationships.
The need to bring one’s “whole self to work” was always so weird to me. This is why professionalism has suffered imo, your work self cannot be the same as your friend self! I’d also add the misguided approach many younger ppl have around understanding carefully networking and collegial relationships and how that’s so important for the future of their careers. They frame this as “I do my work and go home, I’m not here to make friends.” Like… you’ll need ppl to vouch for you in future job recommendations, you absolutely need to socialize and make some impression on your colleagues and bosses.
All of this!!! I hate the whole self conversation, it is bizarre. I'd argue that crafting a work persona is a skill, just like networking, and relationship building. A skill that (some) have disregarded as unnecessary because they don't understand the value in it or haven't developed the skill. It's so critical for all the reasons you mentioned. As always, I appreciate your POVs!
This is why I’m happy to mentor and give recommendations to younger people and colleagues when I can. They need to stop listening to this nonsense! The smart ones are proactive and know how to build relationships.