Authenticity in the workplace

CHANGING COURSE
By Tammy L. McIntyre, M. ED

Recently, I read a book regarding authenticity in the workplace. To my surprise, many of us do not know what it means to be authentic, and we cannot fathom what it means to be authentic on the job. If you work in a setting that discourages individualism, it is easy to fall prey to the status quo.

So, what does authenticity mean? According to Norma Hollis, expert authority on “the Authentic Voice,” authenticity is the degree to which you are true to your personality, spirit, character, and your pursuit of a purpose. When we are not true to ourselves, we tend to live with a great deal of emotional stress.

To be authentic means having self-knowledge. How well do you know yourself?

Authentic people are able to inspire themselves to be true in every situation. In the workplace, this can be a challenge for some. Many people view the world as a means to make money, but authentic people view the world as place to fulfill their destiny.

Ask yourself these questions to check your “authenticity quotient”:

1. Do I have people in my life who inspire me?
2. Am I motivated from within to achieve my goals or do I have to be pushed externally by my peers?
3. Do I compromise my values “just to fit in?”
4. How do I define wealth?
5. What legacy am I leaving for my co-workers?
6. Am I accountable for my actions?
7. Do I truthfully express how I feel when asked by others?
If you can answer “Yes” to these questions, then you are on your way to laying the foundation for being real and being able to bring your whole self to work.

Tammy McIntyre is owner of McIntyre Employment Service, an agency providing individuals and small businesses with career development services. She welcomes reader responses to tammy@mcintyre-employment.com.