Trish's Blog

Being professional doesn’t mean hiding who you are. Somewhere along the way, professionalism got twisted into “don’t be too much,” “don’t be different,” and “don’t stand out.” Blend in. Keep it safe. Hide the weird.

That’s how workplaces end up polite, beige, and stuck.

Being professional actually means bringing your best self to the work, your whole self, while respecting the people around you. Not performing a version of yourself that feels acceptable. Not leaving your instincts, questions, and unconventional ideas at the door.

Your weird. Your passions. That’s the part people remember. That’s what makes you relatable.
That’s what makes your contribution land.

And this matters for Weird Wisdom™ and Diversity of Thought because progress doesn’t come from everyone thinking the same way in a nicer tone. It comes from people thinking together without thinking alike.

The outcome is practical, not fluffy: better decisions, stronger problem-solving, and teams that can adapt instead of freeze when things get uncertain.

Hiding who you are might make you look professional. It can also make you look replaceable. And most organisations don’t need more polish. They need more thinking.