In our work at Mindflick, we find that the concept of authenticity is often misunderstood. Many believe that being authentic means sticking rigidly to your personality preferences, mindsets, and behaviours in every situation. However, true authenticity acknowledges that our personality naturally adapts and flexes across different contexts. This idea, known as the authenticity paradox, is crucial for both personal and professional growth.

Flexibility Within Authenticity

When people ask if adapting their style or adopting different mindsets makes them inauthentic, they are grappling with a common misconception. 

Authenticity is not about being the same person in every situation; it’s about recognising and embracing the different sides of your character, whilst remaining true to the values that we believe to be important to who we are. For example, when visiting another country, we may attempt to learn the language (and so change our behaviour). However, this change represents a more stable value of wanting to be seen as respectful to the culture we find ourselves in. It reflects who we want to be.

This is highlighted by Herminia Ibarra, who explains that authenticity often involves understanding and expressing the different sides of who we are, in a way that’s consistent with our values. We may sometimes be thoughtful, other times thoughtless; sometimes quiet, other times loud. No matter the behaviour we show, the consistency comes in how we want to be seen.

Why Flexing Doesn't Mean Inauthenticity

The belief that adapting your mindset or behaviours according to context is inauthentic is a misunderstanding. Instead, being truly authentic means being aware of the various aspects of your personality and stepping into them as needed. For instance, at work, you might need to be more assertive and decisive, while at home, you may be more nurturing and patient. Both behaviours are authentic expressions of your character, suited to different environments.

Effective authenticity involves balancing personal integrity with situational responsiveness. This means being genuine while also considering the impact of your actions and words on others. 

Indeed, in Adam Grant’s podcast "Authenticity is a Double-Edged Sword," he suggests that authenticity without boundaries can be careless, and without empathy, it can be selfish. True authenticity requires us to be mindful of our values and the context in which we are operating

Practical Steps to Embrace Authenticity

So to embrace authenticity, there are some steps we can take…

1. Self-Awareness: Understand your lead mindset and behavioural preferences. Tools such as Mindflick can help you stay identify to what comes most naturally to you.

2. Contextual Adaptation: Recognise that different situations may call for different approaches. When they do, consciously adapt your mindset and behaviour to fit the context without compromising your values that make you who you are.

3. Empathy and Boundaries: Take care to ensure that your authenticity does not harm others. Being authentic includes being considerate of how your approach impacts those around you.

4. Continuous Learning: Embrace feedback and be willing to grow. Authenticity is also about evolving and improving over time - not remaining rigid no matter what life throws at us.

Conclusion

Embracing the authenticity paradox allows you to be true to yourself while effectively navigating different contexts. By understanding that authenticity involves a dynamic interplay between your lead preferences and the situations you encounter, you can be genuinely adaptable and responsive. 

This nuanced view of authenticity not only enhances personal fulfilment but also builds better relationships and professional success.