On Being Authentic

Being true to yourself is always important.  But being true to yourself and being authentic are two different things.  Here is how it works:

• Being true to yourself does require some level of authenticity but it leaves room for your “work self.”  You know what I am talking about, the one that speaks corporate lingo, doesn’t cuss, does not generally argue aka bite your tongue, and has the plans for climbing the corporate ladder.  This is being true to yourself because you are working on your goals the best way you know how but its not your overall authentic self because you have to live in the corporate politics and/or making other people happy to get to where you want to be.  

• Being Authentic does not have a work self.  You are you, 100% of the time and that person is comfortable with themselves in all environments including corporate culture.  Here is the biggest difference.  This person is aware that they may not be a fit for everyone aka not everyone likes them, and they are OK with it.  More than that, they embrace it as an opportunity to also evaluate why they may not like some of those people around them.  

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