Employees in the 2020s are very different from employees in the 1990s. We want to be inspired. We want to feel like we’re doing something important. We expect honesty. We expect transparency. We expect our leaders to accept us as we are.
Being your “authentic self” at work can mean a lot of things to different people. For some of us, bringing our “authentic self” to work is something we aspire to. For others, it can be terrifying.
When the company culture encourages bringing your “whole self” to work it can present some challenges to be sure. At what point does authentic turn into unprofessional? When does being respected for being authentic turn into fired for saying or doing something you shouldn’t have said or done at work?
Just like most things, emotional intelligence plays a huge part in understanding where that line is, and it keeps us from crossing it. If we can do it correctly, we can build trust and respect. If we aren’t careful, we might get charged for that ketchup.
Topics:
• 00:15 – WE HAVE STICKERS!
• 03:25 – What does “bring your authentic self” really mean?
• 05:00 – Is it inauthentic or just unfamiliar?
• 06:04 – Who are we at home vs at work?
• 07:12 – How often do we code-switch?
• 09: 35 – Is one CEO’s authenticity another person’s inauthenticity?
• 11:10 – SPOILER ALERT! Jeremy code switches at work
• 11:55 – Don’t confuse authentic with unprofessional
• 13:40 – You can’t work at Commander’s Palace acting like you’re at Chili’s
• 15:24 – As leaders, we shouldn’t expect others to be 2our version of authentic
• 15:50 – Being respectful and diligent will allow you to break norms
• 18:50 – Emotional intelligence informs when to code-switch
• 19:30 – Jeremy’s code-switch fail
• 21:30 – Our authenticity is informed by our identity
• 27:27 – Be careful not to bring the negative aspects of your work self home
• 29:20 – Don’t assume other’s identities are as strong as yours
• 32:17 – Use the interview to test the culture
• 35:30 – Organizations naturally lean towards the culture of the people who give them the most money
• 36:45 – Don’t ask for ketchup at Commander’s Palace
• 39:03 – Find a company that fits your values
Helpful Links:
• TEDx: Bring Your Whole Self to Work
• Time To Rethink Bringing Your Whole Self to Work?
• The Authenticity Paradox
• Bringing your whole self to work is a bad idea
• Be Yourself, but Carefully
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