Recently, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about one particular subject, and I felt that I finally had to write about it to get it off my chest. In short, I find myself frequently asking: Am I supposed to have a vastly different personality when I am in “professional mode”, compared to how I am in “personal mode”?
Allow me to elaborate.
One of my acquaintances, who shall not be named, appears to have a constant facade in play. They are a fantastic networker because of their ability make small talk, but will come off as somewhat fake due to their facade. Having conversations with this acquaintance can be a rather difficult experience, because they do not feel very genuine, even when it is a personal one-on-one conversation.
This is somewhat of a stark contrast to my own behaviour. In a professional setting, I usually try my best to create real conversations that have a bit more depth to them. It may not always work and people may not always connect with me, but I refuse to change that just to make networking easier. This is exactly how I am with my friends, and I feel that it is appropriate for professional settings as well.
So I asked myself, should you really behave all that differently between “personal mode” and “professional mode”? I don’t expect people to be acting boorish and idiotic around professional events, but who would you rather deal with: a master of small talk, or a conversationalist?
Weigh in with your opinions, please!
Posted on June 14th, 2009 by Jon Lim
Filed under: Life
I think I just swear less when I’m in ‘professional’ mode but otherwise I’m pretty much the same.
That’s what I like to hear!
Glad to hear most people don’t mind a bit of cussing, even in professional mode.
You really can’t have anybody “connect” with a fake you- a you that doesn’t exist.
J-Lim, as long as you donkt have any part of your personal personality that is socially unacceptable (like a major drug habit… Unless there’s something I don’t know,) be the real you. People, especially on the younger end of the scale, appreciate the real-ness, and you’ll find that it may get you a lot further in a client-oriented business. Been my experience, anyway.
@Zainab
While that may seem true, I’ve seen otherwise with the fake acquaintance. But I agree, there is no real connection with a you that doesn’t exist!
@Dan
Sage advice, and it probably will hold true for me in my client-oriented business as well. But no, I don’t have any vices that you don’t know of.