Embrace Your “Weirdness”

Introduction

High-achieving women often feel a tremendous amount of pressure to fit into the mold of what is considered “normal” in their professional environment. This leaves little room to embrace the quirks and oddities that make them unique. It is these idiosyncrasies, however, that can be the key to success. In this blog post, we will discuss why high-achieving women should embrace their “weirdness” and how they can leverage it to their advantage in the workplace. We will also explore how suppressing their “weirdness” can lead to burnout.

What is meant by “Weirdness”

When we talk about “weirdness”, we’re talking about unique talents, abilities, or traits that aren’t necessarily valued or recognized in the workplace. Maybe you have an eye for fashion, or you have a passion for pop culture or collecting vintage postcards. These might not seem like valuable skills in the workplace, but they are part of what makes you unique.

Your “Weirdness” Can Be An Asset In the Workplace

The traditional corporate world often values conformity, uniformity, and adherence to established norms. In such an environment, those who do not fit into the mold, are often dismissed as “weird” or “strange”. However, it is precisely this uniqueness that can give high-achieving women an edge in the workplace.

For example, a woman who has an offbeat sense of humor might be able to defuse tense situations with a well-timed joke, while a woman who is particularly detail-oriented might catch errors that others overlook. A woman who is passionate about a certain cause might bring a new level of dedication and commitment to a project. A woman who has an unconventional approach to problem-solving might be able to find solutions that others never considered.

Of course, being “weird” in the workplace does not mean being unprofessional or disruptive. It simply means being true to oneself and using one’s unique qualities to stand out and make a difference. It means being willing to take risks and try new things, even if they are unconventional. It means embracing one’s differences and celebrating them as strengths.

How To Discover Your “Weirdness”

Discovering your “weirdness” requires some introspection. Embracing your quirks can help you stay energized and motivated in the workplace. Taking the time to get to know yourself better is essential to becoming your authentic self.

Start by asking yourself: what do I find interesting that no one else seems to? What ideas have I come up with that are totally different from anything else? What did I think of when no one else did? Here are a few other questions…

• What do I enjoy doing in my free time?
• What are my hobbies or passions?
• What skills do I have that I’m not using in my current job?
• What are some of the compliments that people often give me?*

The answers to these questions can help you identify your unique talents and abilities.

Why Trying To Suppress Your “Weirdness” Can Contribute To Burnout

When we try to hide or suppress our “weirdness”, we are denying a part of ourselves. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and burnout. We may feel like we have to pretend to be someone we’re not in order to fit in at work. This can be exhausting and lead to burnout over time. (Learn more about high-achieving women and burnout)

Furthermore, when we suppress our authentic selves, we may feel like we’re not living up to our full potential. We might feel like we’re not using all of our skills and talents, which can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction with our jobs.

On the other hand, when we embrace our “weirdness” and allow ourselves to be our authentic selves, we can experience a sense of freedom and fulfilment. Women who are comfortable with their “weirdness” tend to be more confident and self-assured. They know who they are and what they bring to the table, and they are not afraid to speak up and share their ideas. This can be especially important in male-dominated industries, where women feel pressure to conform to traditional gender roles and expectations.

We don’t have to pretend to be someone we’re not. We can use our unique talents and abilities to make a difference in the workplace.

How To Use Your “Weirdness” To Carve Out A Space For Yourself In The Workplace

Once you’ve identified your “weirdness”, it’s time to start using it to your advantage. My title of being the “organizer Queen” among my family and friends turned into a project management career, which opened cross-industry and international opportunities for me.

Another example is one of my clients who loves everything creative – from her style of dress to decorating her children’s birthday cakes. She now makes stunning presentations at work that tell compelling stories with her data, which makes her managers and colleagues sit up and pay attention.

Here are some tips to help you make your “weirdness” work for you in the workplace:

1. Incorporate your unique talents and abilities into your work. If you’re really good at organizing, offer to organize a project at work. If you’re passionate about vintage postcards, find a way to incorporate that into your work (e.g. using them as inspiration for a design project).
2. Be proud of your “weirdness”. Don’t hide it or downplay it. Embrace it and use it to your advantage. When people see that you’re proud of who you are, they’ll be more likely to respect you.
3. Find a community of like-minded individuals. Whether it’s a group of co-workers who share your passion for vintage postcards or an online community of people who love organizing, find a group of people who appreciate your “weirdness”. This can help you feel less isolated and more supported. ( Top tip: If you can’t find a community – create one!)
4. Use your “weirdness" to solve problems. Sometimes, the solutions to problems in the workplace require creative thinking and outside-the-box ideas. Your unique talents and abilities might be just what’s needed to come up with a solution that nobody else has thought of.
5. Advocate for yourself. If you feel like your " “weirdness” is somehow being shunned or ignored

Conclusion

Embracing your “weirdness” can help you tap into your sense of purpose and passion for your work. When women are true to themselves and embrace their unique qualities, they are often more motivated and driven to succeed. This sense of purpose can be a powerful motivator and can help women stay focused and energized, even in the face of challenges and setbacks.

Pay attention to your “weirdness” and embrace it as an asset in the workplace, it is what can set you apart to succeed. So, the next time someone describes you as “weird,” take it as a compliment and show them just how valuable your “weirdness” can be.

Kai-Nneka Townsend, is an author, and a Career Burnout Recovery and Prevention Coach for women. When you are ready, she can help you with:

One-to-one coaching for high-achieving women

Mentoring for high-achieving women ready for their next level of success

Group coaching – your own private circle of high-achieving women to learn from and grow with

Feature Image BY LAYLABIRD from Getty Images Signature