The Gentlemen’s Way Vol. 6: Being Professional, While Being Yourself

Being proactive professionally is key. The goal is to constantly build your personal brand, whatever that may be. A large portion of that is your appearance and maintaining a positive image. However, that doesn’t mean you have to be completely straight-laced. You can be, but it’s not synonymous with being successful. Be yourself. Being well-rounded is the wave. 


Video: Tony Walker.

Not everyone, but far too many people are too one-sided. It’s like we’re either too formal or not formal enough. It’s like we’re too focused or not focused enough. Last but not least, it’s like we’re having too much fun or not enough. Social media and previous generations may be the culprit behind this, but it’s up to us to change that narrative.

In the video, obviously, I’m drinking an Old English 800 40 ounce. I can explain. Growing up, the drink was an Eastside Delicacy. I take pride in where I’m from. Eastside, Oklahoma City has the largest black population in the state of Oklahoma and despite what the popular opinion is, I love it and pretty much everything about it. 

With that being said, I still have to make a name for myself. I want to be one of the few that ‘made it out’ of the eastside and did big things with my life but at the same time, take some things from my neighbor(hood) with me. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Where I’m going with this: You can be successful while being yourself and having fun at the same time. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. You don’t always have to be so uptight all the time, yet you definitely shouldn’t stay stagnant, stuck in your old ways.

The video represents me being myself; a progressive businessman from the eastside. I love dressing up nice, I love listening to the soothing sounds of classical music as well as smooth jazz, but I also love rap music and drinking the occasional 40.


Everyone needs to know that it’s okay to be yourself, as long as it isn’t detrimental to your growth professionally and as a person. Life is short, get things done but have fun while doing it. 

Follow Tony Walker on Instagram.

About the author

Founder & Editor-in-Chief. National Association of Black Journalists. University of Central Oklahoma.

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