ADVERTISEMENT
This was someone bringing their whole self into the workplace—carefully, respectfully, and without demanding recognition.
The Moment I Felt Humbled
I’ll be honest: I felt humbled.
I had hired them based on what I needed.
I evaluated them based on performance metrics.
I appreciated them based on output.
But I hadn’t truly seen them.
And yet, they had been showing up fully the entire time.
That realization stayed with me long after the conversation ended.
Why People Keep Parts of Themselves Hidden at Work
After that day, I reflected on why this beautiful secret had remained unknown for so long.
The truth is, many people don’t feel safe bringing their full selves into professional spaces.
They worry about:
Being misunderstood
Being judged
Being reduced to a label
Being seen as “too much” or “not focused”
So they compartmentalize.
They give work what work asks for—and nothing more.
And we, as leaders or colleagues, often accept that without question.
The Myth of “Professionalism”
We often confuse professionalism with emotional distance.
We believe professionalism means:
Keeping personal lives separate
Avoiding vulnerability
Maintaining a controlled, polished version of ourselves
But what if professionalism could also include humanity?
What if allowing people to be seen—when they choose—actually strengthens teams rather than weakens them?
How This Changed the Way I Lead
That conversation changed how I show up as a leader.
Not in a dramatic, policy-driven way—but in small, meaningful shifts.
I began to:
