The Authenticity-Excuse

Authenticity – that always sounds good. We associate it with people who are credible and honest. Maybe a bit edgy at times. In any case, people who have a clear inner compass and follow it.

But then there's the other side. Like the other day in training:

Senior managers in the room—almost all engineers and people with technical training. It's all about communication—about how messages can be tailored to the customer and formulated appropriately.

A manager:

“Yes, if I ask questions and formulate my messages like that, then I’m no longer authentic; I’ve done things differently before.”

I hear something like this often.

The choleric leader who yelled at the employee:

👉 "That's just the way I am. I have to be authentic."

The micromanager who checks every work step and frustrates the team:

👉 "I stand for the highest quality. I don't compromise on that—that wouldn't be authentic."

If authenticity means that I have to do things tomorrow exactly as I do them today, it becomes an excuse for stagnation.

And because tomorrow's world will no longer be the same as today's, this is likely the basis for regression. Because our answers will no longer fit the questions the world poses to us.

To me, that sounds like: "I'm using Windows 95. This AI and Chat GPT aren't authentic to me." [Windows 95 – remember? Fatal exception error!]

But there is more:

❓ Are we authentic when we are who we are? –

❓ or when we try to become what we could be?

Often, what we call “authentic” is not consciously chosen behavior.

These are patterns and beliefs that we internalized at some point – and that now run automatically. A label from the environment that is sometimes helpful, sometimes less so. Only when I recognize my patterns can I consciously control them and grow from them. Then I can transcend my fears and compulsions.

❌ Authenticity does not mean that I always do the same thing.

❗ Authenticity means that I know myself and my goals—and take responsibility for my behavior in the world.

This requires:

➡️ Self-reflection

➡️ Commitment

➡️ Support from my environment

Understood in this way, #authenticity becomes a foundation for #effectivecollaboration and #leadershipculture . In our coaching and development programs, TALENT MANUFACTURY offers the space to align your own compass.