The Case for Being Less Professional at Work

5 hours ago7 min read

Consider the universal human experience of sitting in a room of button-down shirts, posture unnaturally perfect, while a slide proclaiming 'leverage strategic capabilities' glows ominously. Nobody in that room is doing their best work; they are merely performing, nodding pleasantly while internally calculating bathroom breaks and awaiting their moment to insert an agreeable, jargon-filled platitude.This ritual, which I've observed over a decade as a management consultant serving Fortune 500 clients, is what I call 'business theater'—a well-intentioned but ultimately hollow attempt to telegraph competence and fit in. The instinct is understandable, a deeply human desire for belonging, yet the performance is often transparent.Princeton researcher Daniel M. Oppenheimer’s brilliantly titled study, 'Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Utilized Irrespective of Necessity,' uncovered a profound irony: a consistent negative relationship between language complexity and judged intelligence.Unnecessary jargon, it turns out, makes us sound less intelligent, not more. This performative professionalism harms not only how we are perceived but, more critically, our capacity for genuine connection, which is the very lifeblood of business performance and personal fulfillment.Gallup’s research powerfully underscores this, revealing that employees with a best friend at work are significantly more likely to engage customers, innovate, and find joy in their tasks—a vital counterpoint in an era where over half of Americans report feeling lonely. The masks we wear, whether through jargon, rigid dress codes, or sterile platitudes, are ultimately acts of self-muting; we round our corners to blend in, mistakenly equating that with fitting in, when what our souls truly crave is connection.It is nearly impossible to connect if you never first allow others to see who you are. To be clear, the issue is not with true professionalism—the commitment to high-quality work delivered with kindness and decency—but with the performance, the systematic tamping down of our inherent humanity, creativity, and the courage to declare that a company strategy needs an actual, coherent point of view rather than a hollow promise to 'exceed KPIs.' Breaking free from these deeply ingrained norms is a formidable challenge; I confess to countless internal eye-rolls during jargon-laden meetings, only to contribute my own share of corporate babble because playing along felt safer. Yet, the more I have consciously shed that armor—speaking my mind with simple clarity, opting for a T-shirt over a stifling blazer, sharing authentic fragments of my life with colleagues and showing genuine interest in theirs—the more my happiness at work has flourished.Has there been judgment? Almost certainly. But I have learned to wear that judgment lightly, a small price for the profound comfort of authenticity.If you, too, feel the urge to unbutton that top button, both literally and metaphorically, consider these five pathways to experiment with bringing more of your whole self to work. First, run the alien test.We are often like fish unaware of the water they swim in, blind to the absurdity of our own professional rituals. Ask yourself: if an observer from an advanced civilization were to study our behavior, what would they deem sensible? They would understand comfortable clothing for warmth, but the purpose of a tie—a dangly noose worn to signal intelligence—would baffle them.Shedding this unnecessary pomp and circumstance not only fosters genuine connection but also saves immense time, money, and discomfort; who, after all, has ever derived joy from dry cleaning bills? Second, talk like a human. Replace 'leverage' with 'use,' 'action item' with 'to do.' Even 'employee engagement' is merely 'human happiness' in a stiff suit. For one day, place a note reading 'dejargonify' by your computer and challenge yourself to communicate without resorting to terms like 'circle back.' Simultaneously, practice sharing your perspective with clarity and confidence—'What I see is. ' When we cease the exhausting effort to sound impressive, we free ourselves to actually be insightful, offering profound ideas stated simply rather than mediocre thoughts cloaked in elaboration.Third, humanize your space. Whether in a corporate office or a home setup, infuse your environment with visual cues that remind you of your identity beyond your job title.A fidget toy, a cherished fountain pen, a cozy blanket, or photos of loved ones can serve as anchors throughout the day. These objects not only ground you but also act as silent invitations for connection, allowing colleagues to glimpse the person behind the professional facade.Fourth, dress for joy. While it's prudent to be aware of organizational norms—you wouldn't wear a tracksuit to a wedding—it is equally valid to push a boundary.Prioritize clothing that brings you comfort, joy, and functionality. What colors lift your mood? What fabrics feel good on your skin? Even in the most formal setting, a fun sock can be a quiet rebellion.The business case is clear—happy employees are up to 20% more productive—but the personal case is more compelling: when we feel good in our clothes, we feel a little more at home in our own skin. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, model humanity.We often perform professionalism simply because it is the script everyone else is following. To shift the culture, we must first rewrite our own part.If it feels safe, show up to a meeting with wet hair because you prioritized your health, eat if you're hungry, or share a small, real story from your life outside work. In doing so, you cultivate a space where people feel permission to bring their whole, human selves—needs, quirks, and brilliant ideas included—to the table. The ultimate goal is to show yourself and everyone around you that we can be humans at work, because, in the most fundamental sense, we already are.

#workplace culture

#professionalism

#business jargon

#employee connection

#featured

#humanizing work

#communication

#corporate norms

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