Revealing your roles

From Psychology Today:

Sometimes life is all too real and there’s no hiding it. By and large, though, we all have some choice in how much of ourselves we show in our roles.

Here are some guidelines:

• Take your self-disclosure cues from your corporate culture. Some environments button down personality as much as others restrict wardrobe.
• Level of organization matters too. The real you connects with peers more readily; the professional you shows up in your boss’ office for a long time before the rest of you is invited in.
• Location, location, location. Work is mainly a place for work. Your kid’s two-day suspension, your irritation with the marketing director, can all be shared with trusted co-workers—but that sharing is best done outside the workplace. Hallways have ears. But a nearby lunch spot is a great time and place to gripe, gossip, and generally enjoy human connection.
• If you never remove your professional mask (you know who you are), you have the opposite problem. Your professional distance makes it impossible for co-workers to connect with an authentic person. Especially if you are in a management position, coax yourself out of your defensive shell. It’s the man or woman behind the mask who inspires a staff.

Collin: I agree with much of what’s said above.  Not because of professionalism, but more due to the fact that Work in America has become a “Cover Your Ass” culture.

Sad, but true.