Authenticity Isn’t One Thing — It’s Everything
Don’t chase authenticity. Let it live in everything you do and are.
“O brawling love! O loving hate!
O anything of nothing first create!”
— William Shakespeare, 1595
We often hear authenticity thrown around as a corporate phrase. “We need to be more authentic,” goes the rallying cry. “People love authenticity.”
They do. But not for the sake of authenticity. Feigned authenticity (an oxymoron1, for certain) is as easy to spot and as unsettling as a clown at a funeral.
Today’s entry concludes with a touching video of a person who oozed authenticity — more about why that works in a moment.
Building Authenticity Into Your Habits
I work with executives on getting more out of their teams: better communication, improved performance, profitable growth for all. In doing so, I use the Working Together™ Leadership & Management System designed and shared with me by my former CEO, Alan Mulally, with whom I served during Ford’s miraculous turnaround.
Despite his background as an aeronautics engineer, the principles and practices behind the system aren’t rocket science. They’re common sense — observable traits and habits, universal and timeless, brought to life with a shared vision and relentless execution.
Authenticity is expressed not as a single trait, but as an essential fabric woven throughout the tapestry: a shared pattern on the loom, beautified with the unique flourishes and details that make each one of us interesting.
1. Tell the truth
The expectation for everyone on the teams is radical transparency. People often confuse transparency with authenticity; they’re related, but different.
My work with leaders gets their teams to present the real status of their business every week — not the version they wish to be true. The message is simple: You don’t get in trouble for having a problem. You get in trouble for hiding one.
Authenticity begins with honesty.
2. Be yourself — but be your best self
It’s perfectly acceptable to bring your personality to work. In fact, it’s encouraged! Use humor (but never at someone else’s expense), remember names, and build genuine relationships.
However, authenticity isn’t an excuse for poor behavior.
Our Working Together system expects leaders to treat everyone with respect, listen carefully, remain emotionally mature, and stay accountable.
In other words, authenticity is paired with professionalism.
3. People first; love ‘em up
We hit on this very phrase last week.2 Loving people doesn’t mean avoiding difficult conversations. It means assuming positive intent, encouraging them, and helping them succeed rather than tearing them down.
Authenticity therefore includes things like genuine praise, sincere concern, honest coaching, and respectful disagreement.
4. Admit mistakes
Authentic leaders don’t pretend to know everything. Work these phrases into your vocabulary:
“I don’t know.”
“I need help.”
“I made a mistake.”
Those admissions build credibility rather than diminish authority.
5. Align your words with your actions (your Be + Do)
A recurring theme throughout this system I teach is consistency. People quickly recognize when leaders say one thing but do another.
Authenticity therefore means that commitments become actions, values become behaviors, and promises become habits.
Trust is earned through consistency.
6. Encourage diverse viewpoints
One of the most powerful messages you can share with those in your charge is this: Everyone is included.
This, along with telling the truth and admitting mistakes, creates a sense of psychological safety — an overlooked concept. It means that people know if they fall down, you’re there to help pick them back up.
People should be able to disagree respectfully, raise concerns, and offer new ideas without fear of embarrassment or retaliation.
7. Be positive without denying reality
We often hear about toxic negativity and see cynicism creep in. Toxic positivity can be just as harmful: you can’t manage a secret.
Authenticity asks leaders to confront facts honestly, have a positive, can-do attitude, and solve problems collaboratively.
This combination is one reason Ford succeeded during the financial crisis while maintaining employee engagement.
Authenticity through the ARC
My main keynote speech is called Building the ARC, and it encompasses authenticity:3
Accountability: Be truthful about performance, mistakes, and commitments.
Culture: Build trust through openness, respect, and genuine relationships.
Resilience: Face adversity honestly while maintaining confidence that the team can solve problems together.
In that sense, authenticity isn’t a separate competency — it is the foundation that makes accountability credible, culture healthy, and resilience sustainable.
It is less about “being true to yourself” in the popular sense and more about being consistently truthful, transparent, respectful, and dependable in service of the team.
An Authentic Message from an Authentic Man
Finally, that video message I promised. It comes from Fred Rogers. Yes, Mister Rogers. A more authentic and genuine leader from history I cannot imagine.
This was his final recorded message, and it sums up his entire philosophy in just 90 seconds:
“I’m just so proud of you who have grown up with us. And I know how tough it is some days, to look with hope and confidence on the months and years ahead. But I would like to tell you what I often told you when you were much younger: I like you just the way you are. And what’s more, I’m so grateful to you for helping the children in your life to know that you’ll do everything you can to keep them safe. And to help them express their feelings in ways that will bring healing in many different neighborhoods. It’s such a good feeling to know that we’re lifelong friends.”
Remember, authenticity matters because you matter.
There’s so much to learn,
An oxymoron is a combination of contradictory words, such as awfully good, jumbo shrimp, or working vacation. Perhaps you have some favorites to share.
I would love to work together with you or someone you know, whom you think could use it. Learn more about Building the ARC here.