A Crisis in Authenticity

I remember writing feedback for a colleague. Her boss asked me to provide feedback on her as part of our annual review process.

It took me a few days before I could actually write it. I realized I was avoiding it since my relationship with her has been rocky. I found my avoidance amusing, actually, since I only had to answer two questions and I could already check it off my list.

After some time, I realized that it was stressing me out. That’s when I had to step back and decide to write from a place of authenticity. I stuck to being objective, gave examples, and stayed respectful. If it’s misinterpreted again, then that’s beyond my control.

Authenticity in the workplace refers to being genuine and true to oneself in one’s professional life. This includes being honest, transparent, and consistent in one’s words and actions, and not presenting a false or inauthentic persona to colleagues or clients. If I changed the way I provided feedback out of concern of being misinterpreted, I would have been acting inauthentically. It is important to remember, however, that while being authentic is important, it is also important to consider the impact of one’s words and actions on others and to be respectful and professional in the workplace.

There are several ways you can be authentic in the workplace:

Let’s dive deeper into these:

1. Be true to your values and beliefs: It is important to stay true to your personal values and beliefs, and to not compromise them in order to fit in or please others.
2. Be honest: Being honest and transparent in your communication and actions can help build trust with coworkers and clients.
3. Don’t try to be someone you’re not: It is important to be genuine and authentic, rather than trying to present a false persona or pretending to be someone you’re not.
4. Be consistent: It is important to be consistent in your words and actions, and to not let your behavior change based on the situation or the people you are interacting with.
5. Seek feedback: Asking for and accepting feedback can help you understand how others perceive you and can help you identify any areas where you may not be being authentic.
6. Be open to change: While it is important to stay true to yourself, it is also important to be open to learning and growing, and to be willing to change and adapt as needed.

I’ve always strived to be authentic at work and it helped me build trust and strengthen relationships with my team and colleagues. It’s not a magic pill and it doesn’t work the same for all people. Regardless, I’ve seen it contribute to a positive work environment. At a minimum, it allows me to be at peace with myself in an environment riddled with uncertainty.