The Challenges of Conformity in the Workplace

Many individuals, especially from underrepresented backgrounds, often feel pressure to conform to workplace norms that don’t align with their identities. For instance, Patricia Hulen recounted her early career experiences as a Black woman in a predominantly white corporate environment, where she felt the need to suppress her true self. This pressure drove her to alter her appearance and engage in conversations that didn’t reflect her genuine interests, such as sports, in an effort to blend in. Ultimately, this led to a sense of inauthenticity and contributed to her decision to leave the corporate world altogether, highlighting how conformity can stifle individual expression and job satisfaction.