I remember walking into the revolving doors of a Tier 1 Investment Bank many moons ago and thinking, another day, another drama plot. Our days were filled with busyness and working with pressured Investment Bankers who needed everything yesterday. It wasn't the bankers who played up, but some of the people I worked with, especially the delightful boss who had real mood swings.
The Corporate Theatre 🎭
I would walk into the department and do a mental litmus test to determine whether it was a good or bad vibe. If I saw the manager, let's call her Fiona, and her reply to my greeting was mediocre, I knew instantly that it was going to be a tough day. We'd all do this, and it would impact our moods.
I felt that Place was like a grand stage daily, where the office was transformed into a theatre with daily performances. The main characters were the manager, peers, and investment bankers, with a visiting external vendor brigade popping in occasionally. The department was set with an ever-changing script influenced by the day's goals and objectives.
Like an actor slipping into character backstage, we performed our roles as we waltzed into the office. The routine was meticulously planned, with each 'script' and accompanying gestures ready for the work theatre.Who is our audience? Clients, internal and external stakeholders, and colleagues. It may sound exhausting, seeing it this way, but we've all been there, especially when striving to hit critical milestones.
Behind the Corporate Curtain
Behind the corporate curtain were fears, frustrations, setbacks, wins, triumphs and togetherness. We also learned to build resilience especially when working in a fast paced environment that wasn't for the faint hearted. I loved the environment because it played to my strengths. I also learned never to wear a mask. I was aimed to be professional at all times. It served me well. However, the same couldn't be said for s couple of my colleagues.
Masks Are for Pretenders
We had a couple of colleagues who wore a mask at the office. They hid their true self to fit in and protect themselves from potential criticism. I'm sure it must have been mentally and physically draining, and they probably breathed a sigh of relief that the frustrations often spilt over into their personal life.
Why do people wear masks? People often wear masks to shield themselves from the 'cruel' behaviours in the workplace. For many, hiding behind a facade is more accessible than showing their true selves, believing it keeps things professional.
What Advice Would I Give To Someone Dealing With The Corporate Theatre?
✅Be authentic. Why? Authenticity rocks. It builds trust among team members. Genuine employees and leaders build trust, which leads to more open communication.
✅Authentic interactions create stronger bonds between team mates and allows for deeper connections.
✅Employees are more engaged and dedicated when they feel their leaders are genuine. When the team feels the leaders are genuine and honest, they'll go the extra mile in moving mountains if they have to.
I've always felt that pretending to be someone else is mentally exhausting. Being authentic reduces this strain and improves mental well-being.
Here Are Some Top Tips
✅Self-awareness is critical. Understand your strengths, weaknesses, values, and passions for a clearer picture of your true self.
✅Practice Authenticity. Embrace your true self and resist conforming entirely to corporate expectations.
✅Open Communication. Share your ideas, beliefs, and feelings. Healthy discussions can foster innovation and understanding.
✅Dress the Part. Wear clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable.
✅Work-life Balance. Don't sacrifice personal time for work. Balance allows you to refresh and be more present.
✅Continuous Learning. Adopt a growth mindset, evolving and learning continuously to shape a dynamic, authentic version of yourself.
✅Set Boundaries. It's okay to say no. Protect your energy and time to remain genuine in interactions.
✅Seek Feedback. Regularly ask for feedback to reflect on how you come across and make necessary adjustments.
✅Align with Company Values. Work in environments that reflect your principles for more accessible authenticity.
✅Build Genuine Relationships. Foster connections based on trust, mutual respect, and shared experiences.
✅Embrace Diversity. Celebrate differences and learn from diverse perspectives to cultivate an inclusive environment.
✅Reflect Regularly. Self-reflect to ensure you're staying true to yourself.
Parting Comments
I know what it's like with the Sunday scaries, Monday blues and the TGIF feeling because I didn't know what performance would take place when I walked into the office. However, I learned to set boundaries so I wouldn't get sucked into the daily trivia or the mood swings. Instead, I paced myself like a marathon sprinter trying to get the work out whilst growing and learning.
Thankfully, I don't have a Corporal Theatre to deal with anymore. As an Executive Coach, it's as real as it gets.
Thank you for your attention.
Follow me for more valuable tips.
Pervin
linktr.ee/AimHighLtd