The mantra of “be yourself” is often at the forefront of career advice, but how crucial is it to workplace success? While appealing on the surface, the pursuit of total authenticity at work is often misguided and potentially detrimental to your career advancement.
Hogan Assessments research shows that what people perceive as “authenticity” in the workplace often aligns more with social desirability than true self-expression. We’re conditioned to adapt our behavior to meet social expectations from a young age. This continues as we age and enter the professional world, where employees and leaders adjust their actions based on their superiors, colleagues, and company culture.
At face value, an authentic workplace sounds like a perfect situation—an environment where people are honest and open. However, this perspective ignores the realities of professional relationships. Some thoughts and feelings are better kept to ourselves, as being too candid can sometimes cause unnecessary tension.
While people say they want authentic leaders, they genuinely seek integrity. For example, a leader who is transparent about being dishonest is ineffective.
So how does “being yourself” fit into career growth and professional success? There are several reasons why the pursuit of total authenticity can hinder your career:
Professionalism
It’s crucial to maintain professionalism in the workplace. Being too casual or openly sharing personal beliefs may not fit the workplace culture and can influence how colleagues and supervisors view you.
Being yourself can come across as unprofessional or overbearing, in interviews, leadership roles, and the roles in between.
Avoiding Conflict
Being yourself at work can lead to disagreements, especially on sensitive issues. Choosing to keep your personal opinions private can promote harmony and prevent uncomfortable interactions.
Career Advancement
Striking a balance between self-expression and professionalism is key to navigating career growth. Professionals who thoughtfully evaluate how their authentic selves align with organizational goals can position themselves for success while remaining true to their values.
Management and coworkers will appreciate a more polished image. Conforming to workplace norms can facilitate career growth.
Leaders who become too comfortable in their roles risk lowering professional standards, which can undermine the respect and engagement of their team members—and even impact relationships with external stakeholders.
The Bottom Line
You shouldn’t aim for inauthenticity or suppress your personality at work. The best spot to find true success is to understand the nuance between your “true self”, and your “professional self”. Instead of striving for complete authenticity at work, consider trying to find a balance between honesty with diplomacy, individuality, and having a team-player mindset.
Personality assessments and behavior insights offer a look into how individuals can understand themselves and how their actions shape their reputations in a professional setting. This can help provide the insight needed for them to create a strategic approach to navigating workplace dynamics.
Ultimately, your career growth isn’t determined by how “real” you are but by how effectively you leverage your strengths and navigate dynamics in the workplace. Don’t just show up as yourself—evolve into your most impactful, authentically successful professional self.
Ryne Sherman, PhD, is Chief Science Officer at Hogan Assessments.