The Case For Authenticity At Work

It is about being who you really are and allowing the people in your organisation to see that. It is about finding a balance between being yourself and fitting into a business culture — one where the values of your company are aligned with your own values and beliefs.

In a world of platitudes, clichés, and career-crucifying performance reviews, authenticity at work can be a risky, even foolhardy option.

You might fail to win over your boss or get that promotion you’ve always wanted and worked so hard for. But if you embrace your true self and hold firm to it when appropriate, you’ll have a better chance of finding success and appreciation in the workplace.

A virus of false flattery, buzzwords, and spin has infested how we work — how we give feedback and make decisions. These phoney interactions, though often meant to reward employees and impress bosses, do little to foster authenticity or strengthen relationships.

 The brief encounters with other people that make up a day at the office — are where authentic presence thrives or dies. Our authenticity represents who we are without guile. It flows from within us. It’s the person we choose to be rather than the person others demand that we be.

Authenticity is not a quality you gain once and suddenly embody forever after; it must be nurtured continuously. And when you do so, it produces rewards both large and small — a sense of meaning in your job, a feeling of connection with your colleagues and customers, and the ability to see and seize opportunities as they arise.

Expressing yourself will help build trust with your employees and show them that you’re a safe person for them to open up to as well. Encourage self-expression among your employees. Don’t just tolerate it but celebrate it!

Encourage everyone to bring their full selves to work each day! Take an interest in who people really are outside of work and their interests and hobbies!