I was once told by an ex-boss at a different company that I cannot be promoted because I am flamboyant. Honestly, during that time, I did not know what flamboyant meant and I had to look it up on the internet.
I show Pride at work by being authentic and being me. And YES! I am flamboyant. I am lively, I am animated and there is nothing wrong with that.
Authenticity at work is actually hard work. It takes psychological safety, trust, belonging, inclusion, and strong relationships. It takes a level of vulnerability and sometimes, really going outside of our comfort zone.
A lot of leaders think that they have to act a certain way to get respect from their teams. You might think you have to be super professional, serious, or closed off.
But being authentically yourself can go a long way in building stronger relationships, and deepening respect and mutual understanding. And that is how I show PRIDE at work!
PH