The Myth of 'Too Professional’
Hello, my lovelies,
Welcome back to another edition of Ask Wendy. This is our safe space to talk about what’s really going on in our heads and our hearts. If you’re new around here, I’m Wendy, a woman on a mission to help you discover that you’re more than just a corporate title or a to-do list. I’ve worn the suits, climbed the ladders, and learned that real success lies in being gloriously, unapologetically you.
This Week’s Question
A few days ago, I heard from Sophie L., who wrote:
“Wendy, I’m about to present in front of some very senior folks. I’ve polished every slide and practised my points to perfection, but I’m terrified I’ll come across as stiff or ‘too corporate.’ How do I remain professional without losing my spark, and the parts of me that make me me?”
Sophie, you’ve hit on something so many of us struggle with. That balancing act between “being taken seriously” and not dimming our own light. I have a story that just might help.
A Story of Rediscovering My Spark
Years ago, when I was at Salesforce, I watched one of our rising stars present to the senior leadership team. Her shoulders were stiff as a board, her voice just on the edge of a tremble, and her slides were meticulously crafted. She was doing that dance I knew all too well. Treading carefully, trying to say exactly what she thought they wanted to hear.
The story takes me back to my early days in London. Like many, I thought the key to corporate success was morphing into some mannequin version of myself with a proper suit, proper accent, and heaven forbid I crack a joke that showed my silly side. Then one day, after a particularly flawless-but-lifeless presentation, my mentor pulled me aside and said, “Wendy, where’s that sparkle gone? That fire that lights up the room?” She noticed that I’d wrapped myself so tightly in a cloak of professionalism that I’d buried the very qualities that made me effective, such as my warmth, my humour, and my Glasgow charm.
From that day on, I realised that the greatest gift you can give your career is permission to be exactly who you are. When that rising star at Salesforce finally allowed a bit of laughter and authenticity into her presentation, she wowed the leadership team. But it’s not really about that. She finally felt at home in her own skin and in her role at work.
A Practical Guide to Embracing Your Authenticity
Pinpoint Your Unique Brilliance
Take five minutes to list qualities people appreciate about you. Maybe it’s your sense of humour, your storytelling skills, or your knack for empathy. Keep that list handy to remind yourself what sets you apart.
Practise ‘Polished Realness’
Polished doesn’t have to mean robotic. Keep your key points clear and concise, but allow space for genuine emotion or a personal story. A quick laugh or a heartfelt note can be as memorable as a perfect slide deck.
Engage on a Human Level
Remember you’re talking to people, not job titles. Make eye contact and speak from your heart as much as your head. When you connect human-to-human, your authenticity shines through.
Set an Intention Before You Present
Ask yourself, “How do I want to show up today?” Maybe it’s ‘confident and kind’ or ‘focused and warm.’ Having that intention reminds you that your true goal is human connection rather than any numbers on a spreadsheet.
Debrief with Compassion
After the presentation, give yourself space to reflect. Celebrate what went well, note what you might do differently, and remember that every experience, good or bad, is a stepping stone to the next.
Closing Thoughts
If I’ve learned anything in my corporate journey, it’s that trying to be the perfect professional often strips away the very magic that makes us effective. So, if you ever catch yourself ironing out your edges to fit a mould, pause and remind yourself that your quirks, your laugh, and your accent are the things that make people lean in and truly listen. The most powerful thing you can offer any organisation is you.
With love,
Wendy
❤️ Former Corporate Machine, On a Mission to Help You Thrive