The Authenticity Paradox | Professor Herminia Ibarra | TEDxLondonBusinessSchool

Summary

The speaker explores the concept of authenticity in the modern world, arguing that the way we think about it can limit personal growth. Using examples, including a CEO's reluctance to adapt her communication style and the speaker's own experience as a struggling teacher, they explain how rigid adherence to outdated skills and values can hinder success. Authenticity is reframed as an evolving process of self-authorship, where acting in new ways leads to learning and growth. The talk encourages experimenting with different approaches and being open to change in order to truly develop as individuals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Authenticity is a highly discussed concept, especially in the business world, but it's not without its challenges.
• 😕 People spend a lot of money on learning how to be authentic, indicating a broader issue with our understanding of authenticity.
• 🚫 Sticking rigidly to old skills or habits that made you successful can become a barrier when transitioning to new roles or responsibilities.
• 💼 The authenticity paradox arises when we feel we have to choose between being effective or being true to ourselves.
• 🤔 Being true to yourself isn't always helpful, especially when you're clinging to an outdated or limited version of yourself.
• 🎯 Adapting to new situations often requires developing new skills or behaviors that may initially feel inauthentic or uncomfortable.
• 📈 Authenticity isn't a fixed trait; it's a process of becoming your own person, continually evolving through new experiences.
• 🔄 To grow, we need to experiment with new behaviors and 'act our way' into a new way of thinking about ourselves.
• 👥 Tailoring communication to different audiences, even if it feels inauthentic at first, is crucial for leadership and effectiveness.
• 🎮 Approaching personal development with a sense of playfulness and experimentation helps overcome the discomfort of trying new things.

Q & A

What is the main argument the speaker presents about authenticity?

The speaker argues that the way we think about authenticity can be a barrier to personal growth and learning. Authenticity, as traditionally defined, may cause people to resist change or adopting new behaviors necessary for success.

Why does the speaker think that authenticity is becoming a problem in the business world?

The speaker believes that the rise of authenticity in business discussions suggests people are struggling with being themselves. If there are so many resources on how to be authentic, it indicates a deeper problem with understanding and applying authenticity effectively.

What does the speaker mean by 'what got you here won’t get you there' moments?

These moments occur when the skills and behaviors that made someone successful in the past are no longer effective for future growth. Transitioning to new roles or situations often requires learning new skills and abandoning old ones, which can feel inauthentic.

Why did the speaker use Anna's story as an example?

Anna’s story illustrates the challenge of adapting to new expectations in leadership. She was successful using data-driven approaches but struggled to communicate in a more personal, inspirational style, which was needed in her new role. Her resistance to storytelling shows how sticking to old behaviors can limit success.

How does the speaker criticize the traditional definition of authenticity?

The speaker criticizes authenticity defined as 'being true to yourself,' as it implies staying fixed in past behaviors and skills. This view can prevent people from growing and adapting to new challenges, which often requires change.

What is the 'authenticity paradox' described by the speaker?

The authenticity paradox occurs when individuals feel torn between being effective in new roles and staying true to their past identities. They fear that adopting new behaviors will make them inauthentic, even though the old behaviors are no longer serving them.

What advice does the speaker give to overcome the authenticity paradox?

The speaker suggests that one must act their way into a new way of thinking about themselves, rather than reflecting endlessly. This involves trying new behaviors, even if they feel uncomfortable or inauthentic at first, to eventually grow into new skills and identities.

How did the speaker's own experience as a professor relate to the authenticity paradox?

The speaker shares how they initially struggled as a professor because they stuck to their introverted, academic nature. After receiving advice to assert more presence in the classroom, they experimented with new approaches and gradually became more comfortable and effective, illustrating how action leads to growth.

What alternative definition of authenticity does the speaker offer?

The speaker offers a definition of authenticity based on the concept of being 'self-authoring.' This means authenticity is not a static trait, but a lifelong process of learning and evolving, where individuals act with authority over their own development.

Why does the speaker emphasize playfulness in personal growth?

The speaker highlights playfulness as a mindset for experimenting with new behaviors. Being playful allows for flexibility, trying new things without fear of failure, and iterating on different approaches, which is crucial for overcoming the authenticity paradox and growing.