Professional: exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace

Thanks, Merriam-Webster, for that forensic definition of what it means to be professional in the workplace. Note that nowhere in that definition does it say, “boring,” “conformist,” or “automaton-like.” Then where do young workers, especially those of you just graduating college and stepping into your first “career” jobs, get the misconception that being professional means being a corporate robot programmed only to think, perform, and discuss work?

It’s quite possible to be professional and filled with personality, and in fact, your employer and coworkers will appreciate you more for showing your individualism. The key is to keep your personality, interests, and opinions on the right side of the “professional” line. You can successfully be professional with personality by:

Sharing your interests.

It all starts by adding some personal items to your office or cubicle: photos of your family and pets, vacation souvenirs, sports paraphernalia, or special books. These subtle additions show off who you are outside the workplace, and any one of them can spark a conversation for people to get to know you better. You can also mention your interests during conversation, as part of sharing your evening or weekend plans. If you belong to a softball league, a book club, or a swing-dancing troupe, feel free to share. You may find people are excited about your life outside the workplace—you might even find friends who share similar interests.  Just remember to always be polite when discussing your interests, and to remain professional when faced with personal differences of taste.

Discussing your opinions (within reason).

Your views and opinions reflect your personal philosophy toward the world and where you fit in it. So by all means, gracefully share your opinion about the Game of Thrones finale, the Mars One mission, or the World Cup. You can engage in spirited discussion, but again, the key is to remain courteous when faced with differing opinions. It’s also prudent, unless you know you share the beliefs of the people you’re with, to steer away from religion, politics, or other polarizing topics that might get too heated for the workplace.

Taking interest in others.

Just as you are not a corporate automaton, your peers aren’t, either! So while you’re expressing yourself through your interests and opinions, be sure to investigate the interests and opinions of your coworkers. Ask questions about the photos and decorations in their office spaces. Find out if they have any fun weekend or vacation plans. Ask if they’ve seen any good movies or TV lately. You might find you have something in common, and even if you don’t, you’ve strengthened your relationships by getting to know your colleagues beyond their job titles. The workplace is a melting pot of interesting people with different perspectives, who come together with the common goal of making the company run at its best. That’s why it’s perfectly OK to bring your personality, interests, and opinions—what makes you uniquely you—into the professional environment, so your workplace can make the most of all your talents!