03. DON'T Be Your “Authentic Self” at Work – Here’s Why

In this episode, Melody Wilding unpacks the concept of authenticity in the workplace and challenges the conventional wisdom that being true to yourself is the ultimate secret to success in the workplace. She shares how the pursuit of authenticity can sometimes be a defense mechanism or way to play it safe. What You’ll Discover: Rethinking Authenticity: The conventional advice to "just be yourself" at work may be a trap that hurts your career progress. What we consider our authentic self might actually be a defense mechanism. Impact of Early Messages: Messages you received during your formative years, like "tone it down" or "don’t rock the boat," can fool you into staying small – and you mistake that for your authentic self. Authenticity vs. Safety: Playing it safe by not speaking up or standing out is not authenticity. Before holding back, evaluate whether you are acting out of fear or outdated perceptions rather than genuine self-expression. Connect with Melody: FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up