๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ
Why This Matters
We've been told that authenticity is about expressing our true selves. But in reality, unedited behavior, especially under stress, can often derail careers, damage relationships, and erode trust.
We are often presented with messages of the importance of being more authentic as leaders and ensuring our team members bring their whole selves to work. Perhaps it's well-intentioned and a noble aim, but what exactly are we asking for? What does authenticity really mean in the workplace?
The Myth of Authenticity
We've been told that authenticity is about expressing our true selves. But in reality, unedited behavior, especially under stress, can often derail careers, damage relationships, and erode trust. Being emotionally raw or blunt in the name of โbeing realโ can create more disconnection than connection.
The Reality: Strategic Self-Awareness
The real goal isnโt unfiltered expression; itโs intentional alignment. Great leaders learn to read the room, understand how theyโre being perceived, and flex their behavior accordingly. This isnโt being fake; itโs being effective.
A recent article from Hogan Assessments put it clearly: โPeople feel most authentic when they act in socially desirable waysโbeing kind, creative, helpfulโnot when they simply act on impulse.โ (Hogan, 2025)
What Leaders Need to Know
Hereโs what I encourage leaders to reflect on and model with their teams:
โช๏ธ Donโt confuse vulnerability with venting. Vulnerability builds trust when itโs used to foster connection, not when it puts emotional labor on others.
โช๏ธYour authenticity still needs to match the moment. You can be real and responsible. Owning your values doesnโt mean unloading your every thought.
โช๏ธHelp your team develop self-awareness. Encourage team members to consider how their behaviors land with others, especially in high-stakes moments.
โช๏ธModel edited authenticity. Show your team that authenticity is about showing up with purpose, not just presence.
Personality assessments like the Hogan HPI, HDS, and MVPI can be powerful tools for uncovering where authenticity may be helping or hindering performance. They help leaders explore how their core traits show up under pressure and in relationships.
Authenticity at work isnโt about being unfiltered; itโs about being intentional. Itโs not just who you are; itโs how you show up. And that makes all the difference.
References:
Hogan Assessments. (2025). Why Authenticity at Work Will Derail Your Career. https://lnkd.in/gDWNw6WA
Monarth, H. (2025). How Being "Authentic" at Work Can Ruin Leadership Credibility. Forbes.
Grandey, A. A., et al. (2019). Emotional labor at a crossroads: Where do we go from here? Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 6, 323โ349.
Cable, D. M., & Kay, V. S. (2012). Striving for the "Best Self": How leaders shape positive identity development. Organizational Dynamics, 41(3), 179โ184.
