That email you've been staring at for twenty minutes, trying to sound "professional" but ending up sounding like a robot?! I've been there. For years, I thought being professional meant hiding my personality behind formal language and corporate-speak. Then I met Elisa, a Sardinian event planner who was completely herself in every interaction... warm, direct, enthusiastic, while running a hugely successful international business. She taught me that authenticity doesn't make you less professional; it makes you more effective. This episode explores how to find that balance between being genuinely yourself and being professional, and why your real voice is actually your greatest business asset.

Key Moments:

• [03:40] The professional mask we think we need and why formal language often backfires
• [05:31] My turning point: learning from Elisa Mocci and discovering authentic professionalism
• [09:21] The cost of hiding behind formality
• [10:32] What authentic professionalism actually looks like in practice
• [13:00] Finding your boundaries: what to share and what to keep private
• [13:43] Overcoming the fear that authenticity will turn off serious clients
• [14:58] How dyslexia taught me that vulnerability can become strength
• [15:48] Why your real voice matters more than ever in an AI-generated world

Notable Quotes:

"When you're hiding behind overly formal language, you're not building genuine connections. And business, especially creative business, is fundamentally about relationships."

"Your unique voice, your particular way of seeing things, your specific experiences - these are your competitive advantages. When you try to sound like everyone else, you're giving up the very thing that makes you irreplaceable."

Resources Mentioned:

• Read: This Week's Full Journal Post
• Free Persistence Guide: Thoughtful Persistence: Why Silence Doesn't Mean No
• Link: The Base Notes Waitlist
• Subscribe to our Weekly newsletter
• Website: www.philippacraddock.com
• Email: [email protected]

Share Your Insights:

I'd love to hear about your experience with finding the balance between authenticity and professionalism. Have you noticed a difference in client responses when you've communicated more naturally? What barriers have you faced in letting your real voice come through in your business communications? Send me a DM on Instagram - I read every message and love connecting with you about these topics.

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