Authenticity is surely the buzzword of the past year and much has been written recently about bringing our “whole” selves to work. But what does it look like in practice to “be real” in a professional setting? And is it truly advisable? And if so, for whom? It sure has its positives . It does increase our overall well-being and happiness, creates psychological safety that strengthens relationships, leads to higher job satisfaction, and gives rise to undeniable improvements in productivity. Firstly, authenticity can sometimes be seen as unprofessional . In many workplaces, there is an expectation of maintaining a certain level of decorum and professionalism. This can include things like dressing appropriately, using proper language, and behaving in a certain way. If someone prioritizes authenticity over professionalism, they may come across as unprofessional, which can be detrimental to their career. Secondly, authenticity can sometimes lead to oversharing . In an effort to be
A Compendium of Concepts