Important topic for sure. Still processing what you've shared. I've worked in leadership development within organizations and the cliche of "bring your full self to work" is certainly popular, as well an undefined and still cliche.
I will for now just say this--I'm not sure it's authenticity we're even after, as much as honesty, integrity and transparency. Lots of us believe that the current president of the US is authentically being himself, e.g., not faking or masking anything. I'm not sure, this is what we want from leaders and although we can debate the definition of a leader, I don't consider this man a leader, but a tyrant and maybe it's time for us to make those distinctions.
I think it's fair to say that no one wants a leader who lacks basic human decency and more advanced social-emotional skills, real emotional intelligence, not the fake it until you make it brand.
A quote from Brene Brown comes to mind, "vulnerability has to be earned." I support this concept. When I know you well enough to discern that you're someone who can be trusted with my vulnerability, I'll share it with you. And, in any event, you'll always get my integrity, honesty and transparency --in matters that concern you.
mmmmm yes. I agree and think this is a good point. Authenticity is such a broad topic and it’s hard for me to nail down one aspect for a quick essay without getting frustrated and almost enraged at leaders who, like you point out, make decisions under the guise of ‘authenticity’.
Breaking it up into separate and distinct components up into seems prudent here and would make for a better taxonomy of leadership characteristics. And, a much tighter essay looking beyond the pop-science catch all Authenticity seems to have fallen into.
Would you be wiling to be friends and keep this discussion going? I’m a fellow Brene Brown fan. I’d be curious to get your thoughts on a few things and perhaps a collaboration in the future if you agree the fit is good. :)
I think what people most want at work is for leaders to be honest and transparent and for everyone to have the right and psychological safety, to be themselves. You know, basically everything that aligns with anti-discrimination laws in the US.
funny how those laws can just sit there unused sometimes isn’t it. the burden is on us leaders to set the tone and show the way. Cheers my Inner Compass.
Well, it would be awesome if more leaders with the power to influence tens of thousands of people would find the courage to take a stand for those laws.
Yes, we agree--trying to nail it down can get frustrating and makes it even more confusing for leaders to follow--whose who are learning to be authentic at work and what that means. I think part of the issue is that at work, right now, being authentic is more of a learned trait, rather than what most of us would consider, an inside job--discovering who we are and showing up as that person on a daily basis. But the later is a path a lot of humans are on to discover purpose and meaning and more meaningful relationships, which can only be found through authenticity, or being real. So, I guess that's a good place to start and it creates more confusion as well. There's what authenticity means at work and what authenticity means in life in-general.
It's a big topic. Happy to be a friend and continue exploring :). Maybe we'll create new vocabulary or vernacular that makes the distinction clear.
Love this! This is definitely something I struggle with because I try to be as authentic and true to myself and my values as possible, but sometimes my values want me to tell someone to go screw themselves and unfortunately, I can't do that. While another person might have that privilege. And sometimes my values of being direct and values of being considerate fight with each other. There is a lot of balancing game. But most importantly, I never thought of authenticity as a privilege that not all of us have. That is definitely an interesting angle to consider and thank you for the article references.
Important topic for sure. Still processing what you've shared. I've worked in leadership development within organizations and the cliche of "bring your full self to work" is certainly popular, as well an undefined and still cliche.
I will for now just say this--I'm not sure it's authenticity we're even after, as much as honesty, integrity and transparency. Lots of us believe that the current president of the US is authentically being himself, e.g., not faking or masking anything. I'm not sure, this is what we want from leaders and although we can debate the definition of a leader, I don't consider this man a leader, but a tyrant and maybe it's time for us to make those distinctions.
I think it's fair to say that no one wants a leader who lacks basic human decency and more advanced social-emotional skills, real emotional intelligence, not the fake it until you make it brand.
A quote from Brene Brown comes to mind, "vulnerability has to be earned." I support this concept. When I know you well enough to discern that you're someone who can be trusted with my vulnerability, I'll share it with you. And, in any event, you'll always get my integrity, honesty and transparency --in matters that concern you.
mmmmm yes. I agree and think this is a good point. Authenticity is such a broad topic and it’s hard for me to nail down one aspect for a quick essay without getting frustrated and almost enraged at leaders who, like you point out, make decisions under the guise of ‘authenticity’.
Breaking it up into separate and distinct components up into seems prudent here and would make for a better taxonomy of leadership characteristics. And, a much tighter essay looking beyond the pop-science catch all Authenticity seems to have fallen into.
Would you be wiling to be friends and keep this discussion going? I’m a fellow Brene Brown fan. I’d be curious to get your thoughts on a few things and perhaps a collaboration in the future if you agree the fit is good. :)
I think what people most want at work is for leaders to be honest and transparent and for everyone to have the right and psychological safety, to be themselves. You know, basically everything that aligns with anti-discrimination laws in the US.
funny how those laws can just sit there unused sometimes isn’t it. the burden is on us leaders to set the tone and show the way. Cheers my Inner Compass.
Well, it would be awesome if more leaders with the power to influence tens of thousands of people would find the courage to take a stand for those laws.
Yes, we agree--trying to nail it down can get frustrating and makes it even more confusing for leaders to follow--whose who are learning to be authentic at work and what that means. I think part of the issue is that at work, right now, being authentic is more of a learned trait, rather than what most of us would consider, an inside job--discovering who we are and showing up as that person on a daily basis. But the later is a path a lot of humans are on to discover purpose and meaning and more meaningful relationships, which can only be found through authenticity, or being real. So, I guess that's a good place to start and it creates more confusion as well. There's what authenticity means at work and what authenticity means in life in-general.
It's a big topic. Happy to be a friend and continue exploring :). Maybe we'll create new vocabulary or vernacular that makes the distinction clear.
As Goffee and Jones once said “Be yourself more, with skill”
The skill part gets me. otherwise the advice is spot on, yeah?
I think what they were saying was be yourself, purposely, and leverage your strengths and manage your weaknesses i.e, be the best version of yourself.
Honestly, they are both too academic for me, nice guys though. 😁
I'm a bad podcast guest. We could've discussed these topics!
Thank the heavens there is always a next time! :)
Love this! This is definitely something I struggle with because I try to be as authentic and true to myself and my values as possible, but sometimes my values want me to tell someone to go screw themselves and unfortunately, I can't do that. While another person might have that privilege. And sometimes my values of being direct and values of being considerate fight with each other. There is a lot of balancing game. But most importantly, I never thought of authenticity as a privilege that not all of us have. That is definitely an interesting angle to consider and thank you for the article references.