Authenticity can be tricky to master. Research shows that being able to be yourself at work improves your wellbeing, engagement, performance. It’s one of our six proven career strategies – to know yourself better and find work that brings out the best in you.
Common questions about authenticity include:
- What does it actually mean?
- How authentic is being too authentic?
- What are the benefits of being authentic.
Being authentic means being true to your own personality, values, and spirit, despite pressure that you’re under to act any other certain way. People often find this pressure at work and embody a different persona that may not be authentic to themselves.
TOP TIP
It’s not about being perfect, it’s about knowing yourself, and showing yourself- with skill!
Authenticity is unique to each person, it’s about the big things (like identity and values) but it’s also about small every day choices about how we show up in the world.
We don’t choose our basic physiology, but we can choose how caffeinated we are, our beliefs about events that happen to us, how we use our strengths. These choices, however big and small, are our chances to be authentic every day.
It is also important to consider what authenticity is most definitely NOT :
- X Sacrificing boundaries
- X Being unfiltered
- X About popularity
These misconceptions about authenticity can lead someone to be ‘too’ authentic and cross their own boundaries or other peoples. It can lead to rigidity and not being open to learning or feedback. Being authentic in the right way is a huge benefit to yourself, others and is a great leadership quality.
HOW CAN YOU WORK ON AUTHENTICITY?
Authenticity begins with awareness. To be true to yourself, you need to really know yourself, accept yourself, and then develop yourself. It’s a journey.
Here are some self-awareness reflection prompts for you to try:
For most people, becoming more authentic is a fascinating and life-long journey. It’s OK to be a work-in-progress. If you are, you’re in very good company.
There are those who consciously practice being authentic, there are those who don’t, and there are the rest of us who are more authentic on some days and less authentic on other days
Brene brown
Further reading
Brene Brown (2010, 2020). Imperfection: The gifts of imperfection. Hazelden Publishing.
Brene Brown (2018) “Dare to Lead”. Vermilion.
Bill George (2003) “Authentic Leadership”. Wiley.
Bill George(2015) “Discover your True North”. Wiley
Patricia Hewlin (2020) How to Be More Authentic at Work (berkeley.edu)
Susan Jensen, and Fred Luthans (2006). Entrepreneurs as Authentic Leaders: Impact on Employees’ Attitudes. Leadership & Organization Development Journal. 27. 10.1108/01437730610709273.
Laura Walker (2020) Dancing with fear and confidence: How to liberate yourself and your career in midlife. Mpowr Publishing
“Dare to Lead”: Brené Brown says vulnerability is the “only path to courage” – YouTube
Brené Brown Reveals Which Four Skill Sets Make the Best Leaders – YouTube
Fulfilling work 