Pose as… – Pretend to be… – And Fake it?

Pose as… – Pretend  to be… – And Fake it? – by Arnie Wohlgemut 

No matter where you find yourself, either at work or in a social setting, there is always big pressure to fit in. Even in healthy workplaces, the challenge is to keep your own identity and still fit into the work culture.

This can create tremendous pressure to pose or pretend to be someone you’re not!

We live in a competitive world where being successful or appearing successful has become a way of life. I have seen where the pressure to be successful, has changed a person into giving up their identity ie: becoming someone they are not.

Why do we have to “fake it”  just to fit in?

The truth is we should never have to pretend to be someone we are not. It takes courage to keep your identity and to know your self-worth. 

“Almost every man wastes part of his life in attempts to display qualities which he does not possess.” 

Samuel Johnson

We are encouraged by leadership experts and authors to “be yourself because everyone else is taken”. Very good advice, however that is not the complete picture. I believe what is missing is the goal of becoming a better you!

Everything in this world is either in a state of growth or in a state of decay.

Think of the world around you. If a tree is not growing or is cut off from its source of nutrition, it starts to die and will decay.

The very building you live in or work in, unless it is maintained, will decay. Paint peels and carpet wears out, roofs leak, bricks crack and mortar falls out. It’s a fact of life.

What we can do is to develop new skills that will help us no matter where we find ourselves. These are life skills, not “fit in” skills! These are skills that will lead to new experiences.

The introvert might develop improved conversation skills and the extravert might develop improved listening skills. 

“The equation that we carry around in our head is flawed … your ability is not equivalent to your worth. Our worth derives from our human qualities of kindness and thoughtfulness and our vulnerabilities.”

Nic Voge

Being yourself allows you to see your strengths and growth opportunities and most importantly, being yourself allows you to demonstrate your unique contribution to your community. 

I encourage you to become a better you, a value contributor not a chameleon that gives up oneself to fit in.