Work means different things to different people. For some of us, a large part of our identity is wrapped up in what we do for a living; for others, it’s simply what we do between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Another element of working life that can divide us is our inclination for authenticity at work. Being authentic at work means bringing your whole self to your job. Some people might feel the need to put on a mask or pretend to be a certain type of person when they’re at the office. This could be to fit in with their colleagues or because they feel they need to be perceived in a certain way to get ahead.

However, many experts say that authenticity in the workplace can help you achieve better job satisfaction and even help you progress in your career.

“Being authentic at work can lead to greater job satisfaction and wellbeing, as it fosters a sense of belonging and builds stronger relationships with colleagues,” says Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic. “When you’re true to yourself, you’re also more likely to feel engaged and motivated, which can boost creativity and productivity.”

Julia Symonds, co-founder of award-winning marketing agency Outbloom, agrees that authenticity is something to be harnessed at work, whether you’re the CEO of the company, middle management or the intern.

“Being your authentic self at work benefits not only you but also your team,” says Symonds. “It can reduce the stress you might feel when trying to mask your personality or pretending to be someone you’re not, like being able to express ideas without worrying about being judged if you let the mask slip.”

For women in positions of leadership, authenticity can be an even more powerful tool. “When leaders are authentic, they encourage employee engagement and harness creativity,” says Symonds. “By showing vulnerability and empathy, you create a space where employees feel safe to share their ideas, take risks and express their creativity.”

Symonds also believes that authenticity in the workplace is a way to help secure promotions and pay rises.

“Authenticity in the workplace can play an instrumental role in how confident you feel in putting yourself forward for pay rises and promotions. As you have shown who you truly are, you feel fully responsible for your workplace wins and will be willing to proclaim them to senior management.”

Does this mean that having a work persona is always a bad thing? Psychotherapist Eloise Skinner says that professional boundaries can be helpful in certain contexts.

“Mental boundaries between your personal self and work self allow you to bring a sense of authority and specificity to your role. Instead of bringing your ‘whole self’, bringing your professional self to work means that you can draw on relevant strengths and skillsets while leaving behind other aspects of your identity which might be more closely aligned to your home or social self,” says Skinner. “This can allow for a smoother professional environment, more clearly defined interactions with colleagues and managers and a sense of protection for your personal identity.”

Dr Touroni agrees that having a work persona can be beneficial, especially in environments where professionalism is key. “It helps maintain focus and can protect your personal identity.”

She also says that people who tie their personal identity so closely with their work identity may struggle to leave work at work.

“When your work identity is completely merged with your personal self, it can be hard to manage stress, especially if you’re struggling at work,” she says. “If your job performance falters, it can feel like a personal failure, which may affect your self-esteem and personal life. Establishing emotional boundaries can help prevent work challenges from overwhelming your personal life.”

While she believes you don’t have to be 100% authentic at work all the time, Skinner warns against separating your identity too much.

“Some degree of separation or distinction between different aspects of yourself can be helpful. However, dividing your identity into categories can cause issues. When one aspect of your identity becomes fairly distinct from another, we can feel a lack of connection to ourselves or a lack of integration in our lives as a whole.”

If you can’t imagine having a work persona but feel like your personal self and working self are too intrinsically linked, Skinner recommends disassociating your working identity from your personal life by strengthening a sense of self unrelated to your professional capabilities.

“Focus on strengths and abilities that are unrelated to your role at work – for example, your strengths as a partner, friend or family member, or your personal values and beliefs,” Skinner says. “This can help you to frame stressful work scenarios in a more impartial light, and evaluate your professional skills from a learning and development perspective, rather than seeing them as personal flaws or unchangeable characteristics.”

Dr Touroni says there’s a middle ground to be found between total transparency and professionalism. “You can still be authentic at work by bringing your values and core traits into your role without over-identifying with the job itself. It’s about finding a balance that works for you.”

However, if you feel like you’d benefit from embracing more authenticity in the workplace, Symonds has these tips:

“Authenticity starts with understanding yourself. Take time to reflect on your values, strengths and areas for improvement. Self-awareness allows you to work with confidence and humility,” she says.

“Think about what sets you apart. Maybe it’s your ability to empathise, your knack for strategic thinking or your unconventional approach to problem-solving. Lean into these strengths and use them to guide your decisions and interactions.

“Lastly, authenticity thrives on honesty. Sharing your values, challenges and even mistakes with others on your team, especially if you’re in a position of leadership, helps to build trust.”

Images: Getty