Justin Robinson (jrobthehuman)Nov 22, 2022
Ted

I think we need to, culturally, seperate "professionalism" from "sanitized".

I work with a bunch of brilliant, competent, incredible people. And they are funny, and weird, and authentic. All the time.

But there's still a prevailing vision that "professionalism" is being "on". Is a mask you wear to show yourself as "adult". You hide the weird, you put on the suit, you shake hands, your jokes are designed for chuckles.

That's not professionalism to me. Professionalism is treating folks with respect and getting shit done. It's being honest and human.

De-brand yourself, be all of yourself, be your brilliant and weird and capable and ambitious self.

Nov 22, 2022 at 2:23pmWeb
Show threadLydia Matthews Nov 22, 2022
@esdin Agree completely. Part of what drove me away from streaming was that I had to be "on" all the time and not let the real me show in order to get viewers. I'm not always entertaining, I'm not always happy, I'm not always chatty. It was rough and the same applies to social media. It's HARD for me to be social and update constantly and be social in general so why add the extra layer of pretending to be something I'm not in that moment?
Show threadEllie WrennNov 22, 2022

@esdin I was part of an organization in University that focused on "Professionalism"

And all too often, that meant no fun and strict for the sake of being strict. It was a very unhealthy mentality for many of us.

I really like your definition here. At the core, it's about getting the work done with respect for your peers.

Show threadIndiealexhNov 22, 2022

@esdin my wife attended a webinar that was explaining that "professionalism" stems from a white western view and ignore global cultural norms.

Been thinking about that a lot.

Show threadextinct went extinctNov 22, 2022

@esdin i am a consummate professional

but i am also always very, unapologetically real

Show threadIrinaNov 22, 2022
@extinct @esdin I did a professional thing today (non-core part of job), and I *think* I was real and mostly unmasked (except for the faint trace of autistic masking I always wear when dealing with people who don't know I'm autistic when it's none of their business). I did shake hands and introduce myself and say the appropriate social-lubrication things but I wasn't cosplaying as something not-me.
Show threadWhen Suddenly! GamesNov 22, 2022
@esdin I couldn't agree more.
Show threadSocar MylesNov 22, 2022
@esdin I've been very lucky with my current workplace--professionalism seems to be defined as getting one's work done and not being a jerk. But being loud, being passionate, arguing one's position, all that is encouraged. I've had too many jobs where it's exactly the opposite, and it's exhausting. I'd rather deal with a meeting full of loud people than a meeting simmering with silent frustration.
Show threadDenise | small biz marketingNov 22, 2022
@esdin That’s the thing: People keep asking me how they should post on LinkedIn or Twitter. People think there’s a certain way to do things as prescribed by the platform you’re on. That’s why we have so much same-y content everywhere. It’s not about following a certain style or tone of voice, it’s about you (and your brand/business/profession). You make it work for you not the other way around.
Show threadMark W. AlexanderNov 22, 2022

@esdin

In my professional opinion, never hide the weird.

Show threadWillfulMisfitsNov 22, 2022
@esdin I couldnt agree more. We are losing our authentic selves to the crush of perceived polished sanitised versions, wrapped in corporate friendly cordiality and safeness.
Further, as an ADHDer I’m so exhausted by masking.
The whole point of my company now is to reimagine the space with, by & for ND people. People being their fabulous, awkward, authentic selves.
Show threadganxelNov 23, 2022
@esdin well said. Blindboy Boatclub of the Rubberbandits recently shared a similar sentiment that resonated with me, about seriousness and solemnity -- that solemnity is the act of publicly simulating seriousness, and that we can be serious without the performance of solemnity.