How to Be Yourself at Work Without Tanking Your Professional Image

One of the questions I get asked all the time is:

“How can I be myself at work… without jeopardizing my professional image?”

And I get it. You’ve worked hard. You’ve built a reputation. You want to grow your career—not get side-eyed for being “too much” in that meeting.

But here's the truth: I became a corporate CEO at 42. I led a massive financial and cultural turnaround. And I did it with one strategy—authenticity.

Yup. That was my edge. That was my advantage. And spoiler alert: it can be yours too.

Redefining What “Professional” Really Means

Before we can talk about how to be your authentic self at work, let’s unpack the idea of a professional image. What do people even mean when they say that?

If you think being professional means being polished, perfect, and kind of boring… you’re not alone. But you’re also not right.

From the CEO lens, here’s what I looked for in people: 👉 Great leaders. 👉 And guess what great leaders have? Great followers.

As the legendary Colin Powell put it,

“You know you're a good leader when people follow you—if only out of curiosity.”

Now, curiosity isn’t sparked by corporate jargon or playing it safe. Curiosity is sparked when you bring something real to the table.

That’s authentic leadership.

The Truth About Who Wants Authenticity

This part might surprise you: The group that wants authenticity the most?

It’s not your entry-level team.It’s not your middle managers. 👉 It’s executives.

Yep, our research shows that it’s the folks at the top—many of whom feel stuck in a sea of sameness—are craving more realness, more differentiation, and more permission to be human.

But here’s the twist: being authentic doesn’t mean being “yourself” 100% of the time.

Let me explain.

Authenticity ≠ Oversharing

There’s a big difference between “being yourself at work” and being your authentic self at work.

Being yourself might mean acting however you feel in the moment.

Being authentic? That means showing up with intention. With originality. With purpose—especially when it serves others.

Authenticity is about giving others permission to be real too. It’s about creating trust, sparking connection, and standing out strategically.

Think of it as a professional pattern interrupt. You’re breaking the mold, yes—but you’re doing it to inspire, not to self-indulge.

How to Be Authentic Without Getting Side-Eyed

So, back to the original question: how do you be yourself and still look professional?

You flip the script. You stop trying to “fit” a professional image—and instead redefine it through authentic leadership.

Try this:

• Be original in how you speak, lead, and show up.

• Be intentional in sharing real stories or humility moments to build trust.

• Be mess, because perfection and passion cannot coexist.

When you show up like this, people don’t question your professionalism. They remember you. They follow you.

Here’s the Real Secret to Being Taken Seriously

Want to move up? Want to make an impact?

Then stop trying to blend in. The next time you find yourself thinking,

“I can’t say that” or “That’s not what a VP would do,”

Ask yourself instead:

“What do great leaders do?”

They don’t just lead.

They attract people.

They inspire curiosity.

They act authentically.

So the real question isn’t, “Can I be myself and still be respected?”

It’s, “Can I afford not to?”

Final Word: Your Professional Edge Is Your Authenticity

Authenticity in the workplace isn’t a liability. It’s your edge. Your differentiator. The thing that makes people trust you, connect with you, and—most importantly—follow you.

So go ahead. Be your authentic self at work. Be bold. Be intentional. Be the leader that makes people lean in—not because you're perfect, but because you're real.

Because in the end, nobody follows a robot. They follow someone who makes them feel something. Someone who dares to be different.

Someone like you.

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Watch the video on Youtube.

Erin Hatzikostas is an internationally recognized leader on the impact of authenticity in the workplace. Learn more about her keynote speaking, workshops, and other authentic programs here.