Authenticity – The Art of Being Who We Are
Social media is full of it, countless books preach it, and at least one person in our circle proclaims it: authenticity is the path to the true self. And yet, we humans love modern fairy tales that “sell” us stories as better than they really are.
We see the globally successful coach giving advice from a beach villa and appearing in the most breathtaking locations. We see the influencer who always looks perfect, sharing tips on how to organize daily life and which products we “need” to do so. But do you think these people are truly authentic? The image they project outward is often nothing more than a façade—one that may last a while, or may not.
And yet, authenticity is one of the qualities we value most in others. Numerous studies and surveys show that employees, above all, want authenticity from their leaders. In principle, every one of us has this ability, and yet it can be difficult to live it out in everyday life.
It starts with the definition: authenticity is often translated as genuineness. If something is authentic, it is considered “proven to be genuine.” That may work for documents, but people are not so easy to verify. From an etymological perspective, the word comes from the Greek authentikós, derived from autos (self) and ontos (being). Authenticity, therefore, literally means “to be oneself.”
Authenticity Is Harder Than Ever
Synonyms for authenticity include credibility, truthfulness, reliability, and genuineness. Authentic people appear honest, unpretentious, open, and at ease. They radiate that they stand by themselves—with all their strengths and weaknesses.
The desire for authenticity is everywhere. We want to be surrounded by “real” people and to be seen as authentic ourselves. Yet the internet and social media tempt us daily to do the opposite. Their anonymity and technical possibilities make it easy to present life as attractively as possible—rarely as it truly is.
On one platform, an exciting or healthy lifestyle is staged: the morning smoothie in a perfectly clean home, with three well-behaved children sitting neatly on the designer couch, presented as an ordinary day. Minutes later, another post shows a serious businessman closing a mega deal.
The optimized self and its carefully crafted façade often appear even more perfect than reality. And when reality deviates, a backlash is almost inevitable. A single “wrong” word, a different opinion, or even missing information can quickly destroy a carefully built image—and sometimes an entire career.
So what is truly real anymore? I even dare to say that genuine authenticity is at a historic low. Have we become so trapped in the construct of a “perfect” world that authenticity is barely possible?
Are You an Authentic Leader?
Anyone who tries to play roles and cater to clichés might be liked in some situations but is often opportunistic and inauthentic. Many people suppress their individuality to conform. This pressure begins in childhood. Those who stand out are punished, and those who think or act unconventionally are told they will not succeed. It often intensifies during adolescence: anyone who doesn’t match the popular look or wear the right brands is quickly mocked as an outsider.
The authenticity we all possess from birth is not always welcome, because it means being true to oneself—even if others dislike it.
But why is this trait so critical from a leadership perspective? Times of change, digitalization, and leading knowledge workers from Generations Y and Z demand more from leaders than ever. Simply issuing orders, as in the past, no longer works. Instead, leaders must inspire, motivate, and build genuine relationships with their teams to achieve top performance. That only works if you show up as you truly are—with your strengths, but especially with your weaknesses and imperfections. This “vulnerable” side creates approachability and encourages employees to turn to you, which is the foundation for real influence.
As a leader, ask yourself:
- Do I speak openly about my mistakes, misjudgments, and failures?
- Do I discuss decisions together with my team?
- Do I give my employees both positive and constructive feedback?
- Do I live by the principle “I say what I do and do what I say”?
- Do I keep my promises—for example, never saying anything behind someone’s back that I wouldn’t say directly to them (this applies to both criticism and praise)?
Developing Your Own Leadership Style
Every leader—from team managers to C-level executives—should actively work on their authenticity. It would be a mistake to think that authentic leadership comes easily. On the contrary, it takes hard work to achieve your own authentic leadership style.
Authentic leadership is always a reflection of your personal behavior, shaped by your values, attitudes, beliefs, and habits. Are you ready to confront these, to recognize how your behavior affects others, and to respond accordingly? If so, feel free to reach out to me.