Showing Up As Your Authentic Self
Last week, I had the pleasure of virtually attending the ADCOLOR Everywhere Conference. For those not familiar with ADCOLOR, it is a non-profit organization that champions diversity and inclusion in creative industries. It is a community of diverse professionals rooted in rising up in their respective fields and reaching back to help those who deserve to be noticed and promoted. The theme for this particular conference was Here For It; showing up, being present, continuing the fight, and striving for progress. There were attendees from all over the world engaging in the virtual event. This conference addressed the disparities going on across creative industries but also what is happening in real-time across our country. It was a safe space where the speakers did not dwell on the problems but brought solutions to the table. The speakers and hosts fervently discussed racism, the role of leadership, intersectionality among many other topics.
The panel that resonated with me the most was on Day 2 and it was called, Finding My Voice: A Courageous Conversation with Glenn Singleton & Neal Arthur. The 45-minute conversation discussed the strength and struggle of showing up as your authentic self in a professional setting. As a young professional trying to get her feet wet in the communications industry, I’ve often felt like, I have to play this “game” to get my foot in the door. Often I’ve felt flustered because my inner critic might tell me that I’ve been failing profusely at navigating this “game”. So, what does showing up as your authentic self even look like?
In my opinion, it’d be the dismissal of code-switching, letting go of fear/judgment, and walking in your purpose, unapologetically.
So, what does it look like in the workplace?
This question is opened for us as a community to answer. When I look for a new professional opportunity the first thing I research is the workplace culture. Is their culture framed for me to show up as my authentic self? Is it conducive to my growth? Are they looking for diversity in thought or to simply fulfill a DEI goal?
“There’s a code in this industry and it’s getting flattened. This industry is opening up” – Neal Arthur
Neal eloquently dissected how this “game” is changing because it simply isn’t effective in bringing equity to all the players and ones aspiring to play.
“If black talent can’t bring their whole selves to the workplace, their work will be incomplete and reflect.” -Glenn Singleton
This conference came right on time, the pandemic has shed a light that stability and security is fleeting. According to NBC News, a Bankrate study found that 38% of Americans have a side hustle. Though the efforts to supplement has to do with making ends meet, it also has to do with fulfillment. Jeff Strohl, Director of Research at Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce suggests:
“Younger workers coming to grips with the idea that they can’t land a “dream job” that reflects their hobbies, personal interests and might have to settle for one that pays the bills.”
Showing up as your authentic self professionally means marrying your skills and passion in an environment that fosters growth and execution. The industry must be a reflection of the messaging it’s projecting. Showing up as your authentic self is a power move. It may be scary to walk in your truth, especially pursuing your dreams and/or dream job. My advice to showing up as your authentic self is to remain humble, open, and transparent. When you show up as your authentic self your work and ability to connect with others will reflect that. Sade Jones, founder of The Fire Inside said in the Anxiety Reset podcast, “self-belief is your superpower”. It’s a lot more work to mold yourself into someone you are not versus being who you are called to be.
If I had to sum up this conference in four words it would be accountability, equity, allyship, and action.
Glenn E. Singleton is the President and Founder of Courageous Conversation. Neal Arthur is the Managing Director of Wieden+Kennedy New York. You can learn more about ADCOLOR here and if you missed the ADCOLOR Everywhere conference you can upgrade the registration package for full content access until 12/31/2020 here.
