Behaviour

We spend most of our waking hours at work. That’s far too much life to live with only half of who we are. It’s time to retire the idea that being ‘yourself’ at work is risky. The real risk is pretending for so long that you forget who that self really is.Somewhere along the line, we absorbed the idea that professionalism requires performance. Over time, this creates a quiet divide in our identity.We present one face to colleagues, another to friends and family.

As a consultant in organisational culture, I see senior leaders who are masters of their industries but are increasingly disconnected from the digital and social currents shaping the future. They’re leading companies through digital transformation having never used the platforms that define their customers' daily lives. The problem isn't a lack of wisdom; it's a crisis of relevance. The solution? We need to flip the script.

We live in the age of the meme. Communication is often reduced to a slogan, a swipe, or a sentence. Social media has trained us to value quick hits over considered arguments. In this environment, the art of persuasion - once essential to leadership and culture change - is quietly being eroded. The truth? Behaviour doesn’t change because people are informed. It changes because they are persuaded.

Recognition is one of the most powerful forces in the workplace - and one of the most undervalued. When someone sees your effort, acknowledges your input, or thanks you for going the extra mile, it does more than boost morale. It creates a sense of belonging. Recognition isn’t just about good manners it’s fundamental to shaping a productive culture. Recognition also reinforces an organisation's behaviours.

We’ve all heard the advice: “Fake it ‘til you make it.” Say it with enough confidence, and it sounds almost empowering. It’s a useful push to keep going despite feelings of self-doubt. But not far behind those words lies a quieter voice that whispers, “You don’t belong here.” That voice belongs to Imposter Syndrome - which can show up even when we’re not faking anything at all - the persistent belief that your success isn’t deserved.

There’s always one. The late arrival with their mic on, crashing into the call mid-sentence while asking, “Can you hear me?” The person eating cereal on camera, or the mystery participant whose name is “iPad (3)” and hasn’t said a word in 45 minutes. The well-meaning multitasker, typing furiously on another screen. Or the over-sharer who doesn’t know when to stop. If any of these sounds familiar, you’ve lived through Zoom Doom.