How to be Authentic Professionally

How can I be my authentic self at work? I feel pressured to conform. It depends on how you define authenticity and conformity.

If you define authenticity as dressing any way you want, not interacting with other employees because you want to be left alone, no you can’t be authentic.

If you define authenticity as living your values at work and being in alignment with the mission of the organization, you can. You need to be able to articulate what is most important to you, ways in which you are willing to adapt and ways in which you are not.

If you are a manager with a consensus based style and are told, “You don’t have to collaborate as much – take charge,” you will be miserable if you try to change. In that case you will want to find a job with a company that believes in taking feedback  from employees.

You can be your authentic self as long as you can do the work, live your values and your passion, and join the company that best fits you.

-Simma Lieberman, "The Inclusionist"
Career Coach
www.simmalieberman.com