We have lower levels of depression, we tend to be more satisfied with life, and we are highly engaged in our jobs. The dismantling of my “perfection act” gave my team an opening to step up and be proficient in areas where I’m not. It would have been “career-limiting,” she said. Some people are more difficult to work with than others. A senior leader at Microsoft recently shared that, when she first started her career 30 years ago, she didn’t tell her co-workers she was pregnant at the time. In Education. If you don’t feel authentic sitting at a desk, then you might want to find a career where you can be outside. It is far easier to put your armour on and show up as your work persona. The principle is that when you compromise your core values, you are compromising your well-being. For some of us, our values line up with the values of our environment. You’ll get more buy-in by being transparent about why a decision was made, and in a world of Freedom of Information Acts, WikiLeaks and social media, the age of corporate secrets is over anyway. While some of our values are malleable and can change over time, others are core to us and are very difficult to shake. In these situations, we often perceive it is safer to put up a facade of conformity, where we silence our divergent perspectives. Authenticity requires psychological safety—an environment where people can freely take interpersonal risks by sharing their true concerns, detecting errors, and saying, “Hey, we made a mistake here; let’s fix it.” If our organization does not allow for that, we are certainly not going to feel comfortable expressing aspects of ourselves that might be in conflict with organizational values. But authenticity should always be on your own terms. Even good leadership can drive conformity: In my research with Tracy Dumas and Meredith Burnett, we found that employees who hold values not fully aligned with organizational values tend to conform more when they view their leader as high in integrity. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. If the honest answer is yes, muster the courage to be yourself. Greater Good wants to know: Do you think this article will influence your opinions or behavior? Don’t fake listening. Considering that highly engaged employees will go the extra mile to strengthen your competitive advantage, being more authentic as a leader is critical. If you have important issues to talk about and work through, consider hiring a professional. As with many workplace initiatives, encouraging authenticity in the workplace needs to start with leadership. I’ve had some older people in my life say, “Be careful now, keep your head down. I’m best known for helping team members learn how to show authentic appreciation to one another through The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace. in a world of Freedom of Information Acts, WikiLeaks and social media, the age of corporate secrets is over anyway. Consider timing too. As a leader, what do you do when everyone is bringing in diverse perspectives? It’s often called “playing the game.” The problem is, acting politically creates guardedness. You may opt-out by. Is there any bias connected to them? In my surveys, I ask people how much they feel that they are a minority, and in which categories, such as age, political orientation, and race. It’s about identifying what’s important to you and determining how much you can integrate those values into your work life or other areas, so that you can experience life satisfaction, feel engaged, and make a positive contribution to work and society. It’s about manipulating situations and, at times, people and managing information to your own advantage. As a leader, if you won’t be open and vulnerable, then neither will your employees or colleagues. Now’s your chance. After years of trying to please others, be right, look good, be safe and many other things we work to do to “keep it together” and get ahead, it’s easy to draw a blank when posed with the question “who am I really?” It’s funny that this is such a hard question to answer. Authenticity is a personalized journey. We exude our authenticity, and then it is witnessed by others. Surrender your competence. The challenge of organizations today is how to manage a workplace that encourages authenticity. It starts with you taking those risks, according to your level of comfort, and taking more steps to reach that threshold where you and those around you experience the full benefits of your authenticity. Help us continue to bring “the science of a meaningful life” to you and to millions around the globe. What a relief to all of us! The Greater Good Science Center studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being, and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society. It takes some self-analysis, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be authentic. Whether a workplace was fiercely competitive or extremely team-orientated, people’s success depended on conforming in terms of physical attire and “talking shop” to show they could fit in socially. Having a bad day? Think about those times when you were fully engaged and you thought, “This is my moment. The more areas where we identify as being a minority, the more likely we are to feel pressured to create a facade of conformity. As a leader, if you won’t be open and vulnerable, then neither will your employees or colleagues. Your employees are not your family or your closest friends. Differences and diversity are welcome. Being political is the opposite of being authentic. How to Turn a Toxic Conflict Into a Good One. Away from work, I live with my husband, and try not to meddle too much in the lives of my half-dozen kids. Therefore, if you try to be perfect … But in many cases, the choice to be authentic is a bit risky. Many of us have a work persona. But here’s the catch. That doesn’t mean that our authenticity must be shaped so we are universally liked; it’s OK that our authenticity might challenge some people. If we compromise them, we’re not going to feel good. When we exude authenticity, it is welcome. Don’t confuse authenticity with blurting things out or having no filter. As you consider these questions, it helps to think about your threshold. Authenticity is not really about exuding everything and baring your soul all the time. They don’t have to hide or cover up the differences that make them unique. Protecting ourselves is learned early. Considering that highly engaged employees will go the extra mile to strengthen your competitive advantage, being more authentic as a leader is critical. To get ahead and gain favor, many employees made their best efforts to reflect the values that were dominant within their organization. As one student I encountered said very poignantly, “If you are going to be authentic, that requires you to be accepting of the authenticity of others.”. In a recent HBR article, author Vanessa Buote writes about a study conducted by Plasticity Labs and Dr. Anne Wilson, a social psychologist at Wilfrid Laurier University, who was studying the benefits of authenticity at work. By learning how to communicate authentic appreciation (employee recognition) to one another, staff morale can improve significantly and a more positive workplace can result. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society BrandVoice, Winning The Battle For Most Innovative: The Best Approach To Competitive Success, An Interview With Gov. You may find that your attire (such as clothing and hairstyle) is critical to reflecting your authenticity, while someone else may want to integrate family life as an extension to work (for example, occasionally bringing their children into their workplace). Finally, make that bold, powerful decision – and choice – to … Authenticity is not about whether we should place the coffee maker on the second or third floor. And I’m certain that you have a lot to offer. On August 4, 2020, hear Patricia Hewlin and other panelists in a conversation on "Antiracism, Allyship, and Authenticity: Building Internal Capacity for Institutional Change," a virtual webinar by the Center for Positive Organizations at the University of Michigan. More than ever, it’s going to require courage. You’re not just going to show up one day and be your true self. And that was just one of the many things she didn’t talk about with her co-workers. I started doing more of this and it was liberating for both me and my team. We live in a world of relationships. Ultimately authenticity in the workplace is hard. Through individual coaching and programs designed to generate positive business results, Henley Leadership Group has served thousands of corporate leaders in a variety of industries, including healthcare, technology, energy and finance. I feel authentic.” Whom were you with? Find your brave and make the decision. Or is your mind making your to-do list? She conducts her research in U.S., Canadian, and Asian contexts. Focusing on funny things can reduce stress, anxiety, and make us feel more connected to others. In case you missed my interview with friend and fellow coach, Greg Storch last week on his show “The Weekly Roar”, we discussed the importance of being your authentic self at work.. Say, “I’m sorry, I screwed up.” I don't know why this one is such a toughie, but it seems to be. Also, avoid acting differently around different … With that in mind, I’ve devoted my recent research to uncovering what authenticity looks like at work, and how we can cultivate more of it even when it feels risky. 1. Make value-based choices while taking into account intuition, research, and the bigger picture. Authenticity is relational. Authenticity could be a pathway with no signposts that you have to navigate alone. The Center is dedicated to building a better world by pioneering the science of thriving organizations. As noted above, we may also have core values regarding family life, our culture, and our physical appearance. So, about 20 years ago, I started to conduct some research on what drives conformity and delve into the experience of suppressing authenticity at work. Don’t be a cry-baby. She is also a very busy mom, step-mom, singer, songwriter, and, as she says, consummate learner. 5. Stop trying to look like you’ve got it all together all the time. Sometimes, we actually get advice from people we trust that encourages us to conform. But no one ever told us how to do it—because people don’t know how. To help us navigate being our authentic selves at work, I was very happy to welcome Rana Stanfill-Hobbs, the Director of Insights at Ultimate Software (our fantastic show sponsor). Core values are the basis of our habits and are therefore difficult to change, but it’s necessary if those habits (although authentic) are working against you. To get started, here are five ways to be more authentic as a leader at work: 1. Being authentic is one of the only ways to be seen and accepted for our genuine self, and authentically accept new and existing challenges at the workplace. How to be Authentic and Genuine in Your Workplace Admit and Accept Your Weakness to be Authentic And Genuine. 1. Can Mindfulness Help You Be More Authentic? To get started, here are five ways to be more authentic as a leader at work: 1. Research suggests that when we experience authenticity—when we feel that we’re living out our personal values and perspectives—we feel a greater sense of well-being. You can observe yourself objectively (pretend that you’re a fly on the wall or assessing someone else) and observe which actions and choices feel authentic and which do not. You don’t have to do it all at work. Authenticity is based on core values. Be transparent: If you’re struggling with a task, ask for help. “Yes authenticity at work is ideal, but you still need to help people make the judgement call about what’s appropriate behaviour,” Roberts says. Now for that part no one ever explained to you: the nuts and bolts of how to be authentic. A new book explains why we get stuck in intractable conflicts and how to get out of them. Science Center • Here are three questions to guide you: 1) Does being authentic serve you and others? They genuinely express themselves. 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