Tips for Maintaining Professionalism in New Environments

"Do you ever go out?" We were on the shuttle bus from the State Department annex back to the main building when my colleague turned and asked me this, essentially questioning if I had a social life. The timing wasn't accidental. He worked at headquarters—the power center—while I was stationed at the annex. His question felt like another subtle assertion of where we each stood. It stung because I'd entered our fellowship cohort late—my security clearance had taken longer to process after spending my twenties traveling and learning in places like the Levant. By the time I arrived, the social hierarchy was already set: a tight-knit group centered around after-work drinks, with clear insiders and outsiders. His question echoed my worst fear: Where do I belong? I've wrestled with this question during every career transition because while I have a rich social life and network of close friends, I do not broadcast them online. But people judge you on visibility—if they can't see your connections, they assume you don't have them. Three strategies that helped me maintain authenticity while building professional presence: 1️⃣ Be the spotlight, not in it. Celebrate others' work instead of performing your social calendar. Visibility isn't about proving you're popular—it's about amplifying voices that matter. 2️⃣ Lead with insights, not invitations. Share the conversations and ideas from spaces you're in, not just proof you were there. The value you bring matters more than the rooms you access. 3️⃣ Embrace the slow reveal. Your closest relationships don't need to be public currency. Let professional relationships deepen naturally—the people who matter will discover your depth over time. My most meaningful connections aren't for display. They're for the intimate, sustained relationships that actually fuel my work and life, IRL. What's one specific way you balance privacy with professional visibility?

“A basic feeling of inadequacy and insecurity, deriving from actual or imagined physical or psychological deficiency.” This is how the American Psychological Association (APA) defines the concept of inferiority complex. Let’s call it IC. IC hit me hard when I first moved abroad. Out of curiosity, I asked fifteen random professionals who had also relocated about it, and each one confirmed having had similar experiences at some point. My professional background has equipped me with knowledge and expertise to thrive in my career as a Dietitian. However, moving abroad and adapting to a new environment with a vastly different culture came with its challenges. In the dietetics profession here, diversity is not always reflected, and the majority do not share my cultural background unlike when I was practicing in Nigeria, so I found myself constantly comparing and, more often than not, feeling like I fell short. Today, I have learned five major lessons that not only helped me snap out of the grip of IC but also allowed me how to advance in my new professional and personal environment. 1. Embrace your uniqueness Recognizing and celebrating what makes me unique was the first step toward conquering IC. Rather than viewing differences (like the way I look or how I speak) as shortcomings, I started to appreciate them as strengths that set me apart. 2. Cultivate a Growth Mindset Shifting my perspective from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset was crucial. I embraced challenges as opportunities to learn and grow and it helped me build resilience and confidence in my abilities. 3. Find a Support Network: Surrounding myself with a supportive network has been pivotal in my journey. I joined organizations like “Diversify Dietetics” and “NOBIDAN” and got insights about the dynamics of the profession abroad, and most importantly, the reassurance that there are opportunities for those who seek it. 4. Continuous Learning Acknowledging that knowledge is a lifelong journey has kept me curious and proactive. I knew a lot before I moved abroad, but I can confidently say that committing to continuous learning has enhanced my professional competence, boosted my self-esteem, and helped me to know a lot more. 5. Self-Reflection and Self-Compassion Finally, regular self-reflection allows me to identify irrational thoughts and challenge negative self-perceptions. Likewise, practicing self-compassion has become a cornerstone in overcoming setbacks and embracing a positive self-image. Dietitian or not, if you are a professional navigating your career abroad, I hope this is a reassurance that you are not alone. Experience is not always the best teacher, sometimes example is, so I hope my example and lessons inspires you if IC ever crawls in. You can accomplish anything! #careergrowth #immigration

You do not have to be the smartest person in the room to be a top performer. Here is the recipe for success: 🥘 I’ve become a top performer in every professional environment I’ve worked in, and it’s not from raw intellect. It is down to 12 essential behaviors - here’s how you can show them: 1/ Get Things Done ↳ Focus on your most important 1-2 tasks each day. ↳ At the end of each day, look at your output. Ask yourself, how much did you get done? Repeat. 2/ Listen Before Speaking ↳ After someone speaks, check you understand what they meant before responding. ↳ People will like you more for it and there will be less miscommunication. 3/ Take Accountability ↳ When you make a mistake, own it. “That was my mistake, I’m sorry” ↳ Then discuss what you learnt from it and what you’ll do differently next time. 4/ Build Relationships with your Colleagues ↳ You will annoy your colleagues at times. Build up goodwill with them by taking an interest in their personal lives. ↳ Make them laugh. Grab coffee. You’re spending more than 50% of your life with these people. 5/ Be Solution Oriented ↳ Don't come to your manager with problems. ↳ Come with your proposed solution and let them react (it makes their life easier). 6/ Think Team Before “Me” ↳ Put the team's goals first. You'll get credit for it. ↳ Help your colleagues. Mentor others. 7/ Manage Upwards ↳ If you are busy, your manager should know. The key is to communicate without sounding complainy. 8/ Show High Integrity ↳ Set the standard for behavior among your colleagues. You will stand out as a leader before you are one. 9/ Be Open Minded ↳ Be willing to change your mind with new information. 10/ Show Humility ↳ Give credit generously to others. ↳ Be willing to be wrong, change your mind, and take feedback. 11/ Love Upskilling ↳ Learn new skills (e.g. using AI) to make you better at your job. ↳ Take online courses to improve your strengths and mitigate weaknesses. 12/ Communicate with Radical Candor ↳ Don't shy away from difficult conversations. ↳ Ask for and give feedback regularly. Be direct and kind. Focus feedback on actions and the consequences. Use these simple behavioral changes to become a world-class performer and level up your career. --- ♻️ Repost this to help your network become top performers. 📌 Want a high-resolution PDF of this? 1. Just follow me Will McTighe 2. Sign up for my free Level Up Community at https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b