What Does It Mean to Be Professional in the Workplace?
When you think about "professionalism" in the workplace, what comes to mind? For many, it’s about competence, reliability, and the way we present ourselves. But how often do we question the unspoken norms tied to appearance—and hair, in particular—that shape this concept?
For me, professionalism and appearance became deeply personal when I began my hair
loss journey. Losing my hair wasn’t just a cosmetic shift; it was a journey of identity, vulnerability, and redefining what it means to bring my full self to work.
It’s More Than Just Hair
Hair is often seen as a symbol of identity, self-expression, and cultural heritage. For Black women, the fight for the right to wear natural hairstyles without discrimination led to the passing of the CROWN Act—legislation that prohibits race-based hair discrimination in the workplace and schools.
As a white woman, I acknowledge that the CROWN Act doesn’t apply to me. I have the privilege of navigating the workplace without the systemic racism that impacts hair-related biases for Black and Brown individuals. Yet, privilege doesn’t shield me from the complexity of losing my hair and navigating workplace expectations around appearance.
The Playbook for Hair Loss at Work
Hair loss doesn’t come with a manual. For those of us experiencing it, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to what feels right. Some choose to hide it, others embrace it, and many—like me—find themselves experimenting with different ways to show up authentically.
At first, I tried covering my hair with wraps or scarves. It was functional and freeing, but it also brought up questions from others. I explored wigs—different styles, lengths, colors. Some days, a wig felt empowering, a way to reclaim my old self. Other days, I left it behind, choosing to embrace a wrap or my bare scalp. Every choice was deeply personal, influenced by how I wanted to express myself and how I wanted to feel at work.
Redefining "Bringing My Full Self to Work"
For years, bringing my full self to work meant showing up with big, curly red hair—a signature part of who I was. Now, it means showing up as means wearing one of my wigs, a stylish hair wrap, or simply embracing my bare scalp.
What I’ve learned through this journey is that "professionalism" isn’t about looking a certain way—it’s about how we show up, contribute, and create space for others to do the same.
The idea of "bringing your full self to work" is often touted as a hallmark of inclusive workplaces. But what does that really mean when your physical appearance changes in ways you never anticipated?
For me, it’s been about learning to show up authentically in new ways, even when that authenticity doesn’t align with traditional standards of professionalism. It’s about accepting that my identity isn’t tied to my hair—or lack thereof—and embracing the flexibility to express myself differently depending on how I feel that day.
It’s Time to Rethink Professionalism
My hair loss journey has opened my eyes to the many ways workplace norms around appearance can exclude or marginalize people. From the implicit bias against natural hairstyles that necessitated the CROWN Act to the lack of awareness about the emotional toll of hair loss, it’s clear that our definition of professionalism is due for an update.
Professionalism should be about substance over style—valuing someone’s contributions and abilities over their adherence to arbitrary appearance standards. It’s about fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to show up as their best self, however they define it.
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