Personality volume

"Can you tone it down a little bit?"

We may have important figures we look up to and emulate but it doesn't take away from the fact that we all are individuals that carry varying volumes to our personality.  Each of us has an invisible  remote button that turns the volume of our personality up or down.

When I say personality, I mean: the set of emotional qualities, ways of behaving that makes a person different from other people.  You are who you are but not always who you are with situations.

Sounds confusing? Looks confusing too.

I remember a former co-worker who had become a new hire at a previous job.  Initially, he was really quiet and reserved.  In a sales office, it's no holds barred to what people will say or do and this kid said not one word.  Fast forward to his first happy hour with the team.

volume up +2 

He came out of his shell.  He began to crack jokes and loosen up a little bit.  It's funny how we subconsciously adjust our personality traits to the company we are around.  I do this to an extent. Because we are so unique, there's an underlying fear people will not accept us.  This former co-worker also happened to be gay.  Fast forward a month later and our sales team decided to do a Friday night bar outing.  He really came out of his shell even talking about his relationships.

volume up +3

While alcohol can calm most people down, he just simply began to turn the volume up of his personality.  It turns out, he loved attention and thrived where he could be the focal point in all conversations.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel came in our office and it was  probably one of the cooler experiences we had.   Some people shook his hand and even shared office jokes with him. This co-worker did not say one word. Nada. Zilch.

volume down -5

He knew when to dial his personality up or down.  He adjusted to different situations and held back who he truly was at times.  Everyone does this and it's not necessarily a bad thing.  We all want acceptance and as long as "tact" and professionalism are valued, people will continue to hold that remote and adjust the volume.

Now Playing- "Turn it down"