Is authenticity still an issue? Scanning through book shops and finding titles like “How to be yourself“ answer that question quite clearly. With these words Herminia Ibarra (London Business School) opens her DLD18 talk about the question “Is authenticity overrated?“ Unfortunately, her panel partner Adam Grant (The Wharton School) could not make it due to bad weather conditions.
Her thoughts lead business
The professor of Organizational Behavior at London Business School is an authority on leadership and career development. 2013 she won the Thinkers50 Leadership Award, a prize honoring managers because of their game-changing ideas and insights about business. Her two books “Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career“ (2003) and “Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader“ (2015) support many business women and men today.
What does being authentic mean?
During her panel Herminia Ibarra presents three possible approaches, calling them “Good food for thoughts”.
- Being true to yourself.
- Being transparent and truthful.
- Being true to your values.
Speaking of ways to influence authenticity leads to the question: Can people truly change? The psychology professor says yes! Experience and meaningful feedback have the power to change the individual.