Embracing Authenticity at Work: The Right Way to Foster Dignity, Respect, and Positive Engagement

In today's workplace culture, the call to "bring your authentic self to work" is louder than ever. On the surface, this sounds like a wonderful idea—an invitation for employees to be genuine, express themselves freely, and contribute their unique perspectives. However, the reality is that true authenticity in the workplace goes beyond just being oneself; it encompasses treating others with dignity, respect, and fostering a positive, civil, and encouraging environment.

What Does Authenticity Really Mean?

Authenticity means aligning your actions with your true values and beliefs, being transparent, and maintaining integrity. It involves honesty and openness but also requires a balance of empathy and consideration for others. True authenticity in the workplace should foster a culture where everyone feels valued and respected, not one where self-serving behaviors are justified under the guise of being "authentic."

The Misinterpretation of Authenticity

In some organizations, employees interpret bringing their authentic selves to work as a license to exhibit behaviors that can be detrimental to the workplace culture. Brutal honesty, narcissism, and a disregard for others' experiences and spaces are sometimes mistakenly seen as authenticity. Such behaviors can create a toxic environment, leading to conflicts, reduced morale, and decreased productivity.

Creating a Culture of Dignity and Respect

To truly embrace authenticity in a positive way, organizations must cultivate a culture that prioritizes dignity and respect. Here are some steps to achieve this:

1. Promote Positive Engagement:

- Encourage open and honest communication while emphasizing the importance of listening and respecting different viewpoints.

- Foster an environment where feedback is constructive and aimed at growth, not criticism.

2. Encourage Civil Behavior:

- Set clear expectations for respectful interactions. Civility should be a cornerstone of workplace conduct.

- Provide training on conflict resolution and effective communication to help employees navigate disagreements respectfully.

3. Model Empathy and Inclusion:

- Leaders should model the behavior they want to see. Show empathy, be inclusive, and recognize the contributions of all team members.

- Celebrate diversity and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong.

4. Establish Clear Boundaries:

- Define what constitutes acceptable behavior and ensure everyone understands the importance of maintaining a professional demeanor.

- Address inappropriate behavior promptly to prevent it from becoming normalized.

5. Support Personal and Professional Growth:

- Encourage employees to pursue their interests and develop their skills. Offer opportunities for growth that align with their personal and professional goals.

- Create a supportive environment where employees feel safe to take risks and innovate.

Authenticity Done Right

When authenticity is practiced with an emphasis on dignity and respect, it leads to a workplace where employees feel valued and engaged. They are more likely to be productive, collaborate effectively, and contribute to a positive organizational culture. Authenticity should not be about imposing one's personality on others but about creating a space where everyone can thrive together.

At Unitive Consulting, we believe that true authenticity at work is about fostering an environment where respect, empathy, and positive engagement are at the forefront. By doing so, we can build workplaces that not only encourage genuine expression but also ensure that every employee feels respected and valued.

Let's redefine what it means to bring our authentic selves to work, focusing on building a culture that promotes dignity, respect, and positive engagement for all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yvette Durazo, MA, ACC, is the principal consultant/CEO of Unitive Consulting, a workplace organizational effectiveness, strategic workplace conflict management, DEIB and leadership development firm. She is the author of the books Conflict-IQ? and In the High Heels of a Smart Negotiator. Yvette brings innovative techniques to promote a positive workplace culture in organizations to encourage trust, productive human capital engagement, and inclusion.

Yvette is passionate about optimizing professionals and teams to engage in constructive problem-solving communication toward instilling respect, civility, and collaboration. She believes that human conflict is one of the most important things organizations must learn to harness to overcome any derailing of employees’ performance and engagement. Her methodologies are like a vitamin that is the breath of life to the immunity of organizations.

Presently, Yvette is an instructor for the Human Resource Management Certification program at the University of California, Santa Cruz Extension Silicon Valley and for the University of California, Davis Continuing Education, Conflict Resolution Program. She also teaches undergraduate and master’s degree students for Portland State University courses in Mediation Skill. She is the former ADR Program Administrator for the Superior Court of California, Alameda County. Yvette is fully bilingual in Spanish and has expertise in cultural diversity and inclusion. ?She can be reached at [email protected] ?and you can follow her work at ??https://www.unitiveconsulting.com & https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/yvette-durazo/

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