AUTHENTIC, TO BE OR NOT TO BE -AT WORK.
In most company statements and interviews, one thing comes out, “authenticity”. I don't know if it is the ease that the word rolls off the tongue or the mere fact that it is a pop culture favourite, but for the past few years, the word has been getting all the buzz. From Oprah’s Super Soul conversations to Michelle Obama’s Becoming and even the Duchess of Sussex's interviews, authenticity is the message being preached.
According to Merriam-Webster, the word authentic means genuine; the dictionary further explains the word: of undisputed origin and not a copy. The authentic self is currently a buzz word, and of course, it did get to the infamous corporate world. In recent times, hiring managers have put out job advertisements in this form “ Seeking to hire a front end developer with 3 years experience, an authentic creative and team player”. For those of us who were new in the field, we would rush to Google for the meaning, for in many ways, it was foreign. My big ask is this, do companies really want authenticity from their employees, or is it phase like the pinstripe suits?
In my experience, I have gotten the privilege of interacting with many genuine individuals and to be honest, in most cases, I may or may not have liked how authentic, how real they came across. In a society that celebrates spurious people or even clothes finding authenticity is close to impossible. The cashmere scarf you got might be purely processed plastic from China, or better yet, the hardwood console table that has been in your family line for years might turn out to be a fake! This is the world we live in, where authenticity doesn't exist, and when it does, it is treated like a virus that needs a vaccine( see what I did there).
At the workplace, authenticity, just like the HR department, is yet another foreign concept. We all want it but are too afraid and, in some way, too intimidated by it. In the few years I have worked in the corporate world; it has come to my realisation that no one wants your authenticity. No one, especially coming from a young black woman, my authenticity is unsolicited. Primarily because of the facade that we reside in, being attested is somewhat detested and breeds confusion. It can sometimes be seen as a threat. “She has no chills or is too real,” they say.
As a woman in the corporate world, I have had to measure the amounts of authenticity I serve at the workplace. I have a cap to the amount of echt I bring, for coupled with confidence, this ladies and gentlemen can be a recipe for disaster. I have been researching the authentic self and the workplace. The article Be yourself but carefully by Lisa Rosh and Lynn Offerman in the Havard Business Review gives a different outlook. Should I be authentic carefully? Doesn’t this take away from the word itself? What do you think?
The five-step path helps me ( this is ongoing) with this important yet delicate subject.
1. Build a foundation of self-knowledge.
According to the article, I'm both a bumbler, meaning that I have a better understanding of myself but not of how they come across to others and an open book: I share anything and everything. This makes me susceptible to mistrust from colleagues. It is important to be self-aware as this is the sieve needed in every faculty of life. Self- awareness also helps with the stories or incidences that you will choose to share.
2. Consider relevance to the task.
A self-disclosure should be simple, of substance and relevant to the task at hand; if it is not, then please ward of it as you may lose credibility or, worse, lose the team’s trust and honour.
3. Keep revelations genuine.
We are still on the topic of authenticity, so why would anyone choose to lie? If it did not happen, don’t fabricate it, as it might just bite you in the **s.
4. Understand the organizational and cultural context.
We can all relate to this. I personally struggled with my organisation's culture before figuring it out so i’d advise you to do the same. Make an effort to investigate national and organizational norms about sharing so that you’ll know when it’s best to keep quiet.
5. Delay or avoid very personal disclosures.
“Intimate stories strengthen relationships; they don’t establish them” Lynn Offerman. I happen to be the most talkative individual I have met, which has not always worked in my favour. In her article Be yourself, but carefully, Lisa Rosh advises one to take a careful note of how open others are before offering significant disclosures of your own. In some workplaces, you will eventually find it safe and helpful to share; in others, you’ll realize it’s extremely unwise to do so.
Food for thought? Should I, a black young Muslim woman, be authentic carefully? Doesn’t this take away from the word itself? What do you think?