"Just be yourself! - But which one?"

Dynamic Authenticity in Professional Life

In our quest for authenticity amidst a cacophony of societal expectations and digital influences, we often find ourselves at a crossroads.

The mantra 'just be yourself' sounds simple, yet it begs the question, 'But which one?'

This semi-rhetorical query underlines the complexity of our identities in the modern world.

Thinking about who we want to be can feel like 'mind fracking'—an intense excavation of the self that's both necessary and overwhelming.

This journey towards authenticity often confronts us with a choice: do we follow the pack and our basic instincts, or do we dare to challenge the programming instilled from birth, by our fallible parents, and by the omnipresent influence of social media platforms like Facebook?

Authenticity, then, is not just an endeavor but a necessity—a desperate one at times—to impose certainty onto the inherent existential doubt that accompanies the human condition.

It is about becoming someone amidst multiple paths forward and potential reinterpretations of the past. It's about finding a smooth road between our messy inner world and our chaotic outer existence.

Our relationships and roles within the professional world act as external markers, guiding us through this murky expanse.

They are not just constraints but also opportunities to reflect upon and assert our identities in a meaningful way.

To become conscious of oneself—to unravel how we got where we are and to determine our path forward—is an essential part of personal and professional growth. Akin to stuffing our lives into one large bag.

Given these challenges, it's no surprise that many default to conforming to external expectations or following basic instincts.

However, embracing a dynamic rather than a static view of authenticity offers a path forward that is both more realistic and fulfilling.

Beyond a Single, Static Self

The idea of a singular, unchanging self is a myth.

Our lives are not narratives of consistency but are instead filled with changes, growth, and evolution.

This doesn't mean we suffer from a lack of coherence or identity; rather, it reflects our capacity to adapt and flourish in a multitude of contexts.

George Herbert Mead’s concepts of the "I" and the "Me" illustrate this beautifully, showing how our spontaneous, individual self ('I') interacts with our social self ('Me') in a constant dialogue.

Authenticity, then, is not about finding a fixed, unchanging point within ourselves but about navigating this dialogue with integrity and intention.

Mead's Definition of Self

George Herbert Mead's concepts of the "I" and the "Me" are central to his social behaviorist theory of how the self develops through social interaction. These concepts offer a framework to understand the relationship between the individual and society, and how identity is constructed.

The "I"

The "I" represents the spontaneous, unpredictable, and immediate aspect of the self that is present in the moment of action. It is the subjective and impulsive part of the self that responds to the social environment, including the attitudes and expectations of others. The "I" is the source of creativity, innovation, and change within the individual, acting without prior consultation of the organized sets of attitudes that constitute the "Me." It is the aspect of the self that is responsible for the uniqueness of the individual's personality and is the locus of agency and freedom.

The "Me"

The "Me," on the other hand, represents the organized set of attitudes of others that the individual has internalized through participation in social processes. It embodies the social self and consists of the expectations, norms, and attitudes of society that the individual has adopted as their own. The "Me" is reflective and considered, providing the individual with an understanding of how they are perceived by others and guiding behavior in line with societal expectations. It represents the internalized society within the individual, enabling the coordination of behavior in social interactions and the maintenance of social order.

Interaction of the "I" and the "Me"

The interplay between the "I" and the "Me" is dynamic, with the "I" acting and the "Me" reflecting upon those actions.

The "Me" sets the stage for action by providing a structured understanding of the social environment, while the "I" brings personal responses and innovations to that environment. T

his continuous dialogue between the "I" and the "Me" forms the basis of the individual's self-identity, allowing for both conformity to social norms and the expression of individuality.

Through this process, individuals not only come to understand themselves but also contribute to the ongoing shaping of society.

Authenticity as an Ongoing Process

Viewing authenticity as dynamic involves understanding that our identities are continually shaped by new experiences, roles, and relationships.

This perspective allows us to embrace the multiplicity of selves as a strength rather than a source of confusion.

It's about acknowledging that we are complex beings who can exhibit different facets of ourselves in different contexts—without losing our sense of integrity or purpose.

Our professional lives, in particular, offer a prime arena for this dynamic authenticity to play out.

As we take on various roles and interact with diverse groups, we have the opportunity to express different aspects of our identity while still maintaining a coherent sense of self.

This process is akin to navigating a vast expanse with marker buoys—our relationships and roles—guiding us.

They don't confine us but rather help us understand and articulate our evolving identities in meaningful ways.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

The dynamic interplay between the "I" and the "Me" underlines the importance of balancing individual expression with social cohesion.

For diversity and inclusion efforts to be effective, they must not only celebrate individual differences (the "I") but also create an environment where these differences can coexist harmoniously within the collective social framework (the "Me").

This involves creating spaces where individuals feel free to express their unique identities while also ensuring that social norms and practices support their full participation and inclusion.

Oversimplification of the Self

Critiques of a static view of authenticity and the self often revolve around the idea that such a perspective is overly simplistic and fails to capture the complex, evolving nature of individual identity and authenticity.

- Lack of Flexibility: A static view of authenticity suggests that there is a "true self" that remains constant over time, ignoring the dynamic processes through which people grow and evolve.

I argue that this perspective fails to account for personal development and the multifaceted nature of the self, which can change in response to new experiences, relationships, and environments.

- Neglect of Contextual Influences: It overlooks the significant role that social, cultural, and environmental factors play in shaping one’s sense of self.

Identity is not only a personal construction but also a social one, influenced by interactions with others and the broader societal norms.

Challenges to Personal Growth

- Barrier to Growth and Adaptation: Viewing authenticity as static may limit personal growth and adaptation by discouraging individuals from exploring new roles, beliefs, or behaviors that do not align with their perceived "true self."

This perspective might hinder individuals from responding adaptively to life's changes and challenges.

- Reduction in Psychological Flexibility: A static concept of authenticity could decrease psychological flexibility, making it harder for individuals to navigate complex social landscapes or to reconcile multiple aspects of their identity, such as professional roles and personal interests.

Implications for Diversity and Inclusion

- Undermines Diversity of Identities: By promoting a singular, unchanging sense of self, a static view of authenticity may undermine the recognition and appreciation of diverse identities.

It can inadvertently suggest that deviating from one's "true self" is inauthentic, rather than seeing identity as a spectrum of experiences and expressions.

It can also lock people into stereotypes basic on social identities and making it impossible to expand and explore these identities more freely.

- Conflicts with Social Identity Theory: This view is at odds with theories that emphasize the socially constructed nature of identity, such as social identity theory, which suggests that our sense of self is significantly shaped by the groups to which we belong and the roles we play within society.

Growth Mindset as dynamic authenticity

Dynamic authenticity, which posits that our authentic selves evolve over time through experiences and interactions, complements the development of a growth mindset as outlined by Carol Dweck.

This concept emphasizes the importance of being open to change, viewing failures as opportunities for growth, and maintaining flexibility in self-perception.

Such a perspective aligns with a growth mindset by encouraging individuals to embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, and see abilities as malleable traits that can be developed through effort.

The synergy between dynamic authenticity and a growth mindset fosters an environment where personal growth is not just possible but inevitable, as individuals learn to adapt to new roles and challenges while embracing the complexity of their evolving selves.

Critically, a static view of authenticity, which suggests a fixed and unchanging self, can limit personal growth by fostering rigidity in self-perception and discouraging adaptation to new experiences.

This rigidity can lead to a protective mindset (ref. "Safe to Great - the New Psychology of Leadership" by Skip Bowman), where abilities are seen as innate and immutable, thus stifling potential for development

www.skip-bowman.com

In contrast, dynamic authenticity encourages individuals to view feedback not as a threat but as a tool for continuous self-improvement and personal transformation.

Nurturing Dynamic Authenticity

To nurture a dynamic sense of authenticity, we must become conscious navigators of our own identity, understanding how we've arrived at our current selves and where we might go next.

This involves a willingness to reflect, adapt, and grow—a commitment to being authentically ourselves in a way that is responsive to our changing environments and selves.

The "I" and the "Me" are not in conflict but in conversation, each informing and reshaping the other in a lifelong process of self-discovery and expression.

The Power of Authentic Flexibility in Leadership

Embracing this fluid approach to authenticity has profound implications for leadership and professional development.

Leaders who acknowledge and demonstrate the dynamic nature of authenticity can foster environments that celebrate diversity, adaptability, and genuine expression.

By valuing the multiplicity of identities within their teams, they can encourage innovation, resilience, and a deeper sense of engagement.

In conclusion, moving towards a dynamic conception of authenticity allows us to see the richness and complexity of our identities not as a problem to be solved but as a resource to be embraced.

It challenges us to live and lead with an openness to change, an appreciation for diversity, and a commitment to genuine self-expression.

In doing so, we not only enhance our own lives but also enrich the communities and organizations we are part of."

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“Just be your selves”