I never liked wearing suits…
Shortly after graduating college, I remember going to the men’s clothing department to peruse the various fabric selections for my future professional wardrobe – I knew in the back of my mind I was going to hate wearing a shirt and tie in 110 degree Arizona heat.
Four suits and seven months later, I found myself in the uncomfortable pattern of gearing up for my daily jousting match with professional protocol. The ritual never felt quite right.
When I started Red Recruiting just over a year ago and transitioned my way into the realm of social media, I quickly recognized the opportunity to leave my corporate plate mail behind. It became increasingly apparent that my professional character was decided not by the quality of fabric on my back, but by the creative thoughts in my mind, commitment to authenticity and desire to spur change.
The other welcomed adjustment was the clear expectation to stay consistent both online and off. Converting to this new mentality was not easy, following years of big business etiquette. I made the commitment to be myself, despite the internal battles that come with new levels of transparency.
One of the greatest challenges along this newfound path has been balancing what I’m willingly able to disclose with the information that can potentially impact the confidentiality of others.
Being transparent is about taking risks. Ultimately, the only person who knows your true commitment to this concept is yourself. It’s easy to recognize the fact that we all have different levels of comfort in being ourselves openly.
*gulp*
I’m in the process of going through a divorce.
Many things have changed and evolved over the past 13 years and the time has come to embark on separate journeys.
There is more to this situation than I currently feel at liberty to disclose, as the full story impacts the personal privacy of others. The bottom line is that I feel at peace with the decisions that have been made and my future direction.
No situation of this nature is ever easy. Emotions, logistics and a desire to keep things simple have more than lessened my social noise of late. A large part of this silence has been a result of coming to terms with yet another level of transparency.
I am personally challenged with owning an authentic voice comprised of only partial reality and experience. Therefore, this post is my attempt to move forward.
The filters of our lives are what ultimately create our unique perspectives – mine, at this juncture, are shifting in new directions. It is my hope that by pushing through the uncomfortable act of making this situation public, my true voice and personality can once again return.
I’ve often found myself in social media debates about compartmentalizing personal and professional. The perspectives detailed above in combination with my current situation have reinforced my belief and tested my commitment to online character consistency. I understand that this path is not for everyone, but I have found it to be the only path for me.
It always felt great to finish up a long, hot day by removing the jacket… the tie… the dress shirt – what a relief! Albeit difficult at times to lay down our shields and expose our vulnerabilities, this choice will always lead us closer to the inner peace we deserve and the authentic relationships we aspire to cultivate. While making these strides towards personal transparency are crucial, it is important to take them at your own pace.
I’m lacing up my new red boots… to hell with suits! 
Photo Credit, puresolitude
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