I have a thoughtful, interesting client who wants to show up with more authenticity in his interactions at work. His boss says she also wants him to communicate with more of his “authentic self.”
It seems rational that only the person doing the communicating can really determine either yes, this is the real me, or no, I don’t feel like this is who I really am. Nevertheless, a standard element of feedback is some version of: “Does this person come across as authentic?”
But who decides what “authentic” looks and feels like? The speaker or the audience?
When we hope someone can show up with more authenticity, what are we really asking? For them to be more natural, comfortable, relaxed? And what’s in it for us if they do; why do we care?
These are real questions. What do you think?
