When you’re putting together a team or in a position to lead, you want others around you to feel as comfortable as possible. Letting out your own inner weirdness can set the tone and make sure you get the best out of everyone.
Picture: Kumar Appalah/Flickr
When people are new, either to a team or the workplace, they’re nervous and worried about meeting and working with everyone. Whether you’re a leader or not, you can open yourself up and make everyone more comfortable in the workplace. AJ Agrawal at Inc explains the benefits getting the weird out:
Some leaders believe they need to be stern and appear perfect 24/7 to fill their role. This is one of the worst beliefs a head of a company can have. You need to be open with your team about your weaknesses, because that’s how you build respect and credibility. No one wants to work for a leader who seems fake, just as you don’t want your employees acting inauthentic. Once you start opening up and acting weirder around the office, you’ll notice the rest of your team will follow suit. Pretty soon, everyone will act like themselves in the company, and your office will become much more fun.
Think back on bosses from your past. Your favourite bosses will usually be the ones that had a sense of humour or some strange, enduring quirks. We are all a little weird one way or another, and letting out your inner weirdness shows that you’re down to earth and helps lower the intensity for everyone around you.
Comments
One response to “Create A Better Work Environment By Embracing Your Inner Weirdness”
on my first job decades ago, my father warned me not to have eccentricities, people will laugh behind your back.
You have to be careful with the target audience. Best be weird with people you know, not with strangers or visitors.