It seems like we’re living in an era characterized by the fast pace of modern life in a post-COVID-19 world and the ever-present pressure to conform.
According to a 2022 report by Deloitte, poor mental health has a profound impact on the workplace. The report estimated that poor mental health among employees cost Indian companies about $14 billion annually. And in a world that constantly demands adaptation, where the masks professionals wear can sometimes be as heavy as the burdens they carry, it can be Herculean to stay authentic.
Authenticity is not just about embracing one’s uniqueness, vulnerabilities and quirks, it’s, also, about being courageous enough to bring one’s true self to work, even in an environment that often prioritizes conformity. When change is a constant in the modern workplace, can authenticity fuel innovation? What is the role of authenticity in nurturing mental health? How can there be a call to action to urge people to embrace their authentic selves and be part of workplaces that are conducive to their mental health?
According to psychotherapist Ashika Mehta, “All of us have two competing tendencies. One is the need to be authentic, which is the need to express emotions and psychological needs, draw healthy boundaries for oneself and feel free to communicate who one is, what one thinks and what one feels. However, there’s a competing need to belong as human beings and as social creatures. One has a sense of attachment and belonging. Both these needs run in contradiction to one another, because if someone is their authentic self, then they may not be accepted in certain groups or cohorts. As one gets older, they start to give up parts of what they truly think and feel & adapt to what they think their environment wants to hear. When someone starts behaving the way they think the world expects them to behave, it starts affecting how they see themselves, confusing them about who they really are and what their real needs are. And this makes someone believe their adapted needs are their actual needs, leading to a slow but consistent disconnect from one’s true self. That’s where the mental health issues start to creep in”.
Mehta remarks, “With that disconnect, one feels resentment, anxiety, anger, depression and more. They feel like they’re in an unjust situation and may even turn to alcohol and drugs. And it may not just be the mental health that gets impacted; when someone gets disconnected from their true inner self, could contract physical illnesses, like cancer, especially those who repress their anger or try to constantly please others… People having autoimmune disorders may be a consequence of emotional disconnection combined with stress and burnout”.
And what does it take to be an authentic leader?
Mehta declares, “To be an authentic leader, one has to have the courage to take calls that are rooted in one’s value system, knowledge and the vision one has as a leader. On the other hand, a leader has to discern whether they’re becoming more controlling or dominating or aggressive as a facade in order to look like they’re in control. So, they have to understand whether their leadership stems from a place of authentic self wherein personal growth can be in leaps and bounds or whether it’s coming from a fear of rejection and social comparison, a desire for acceptance, an external pressure of having to be a particular way and a lack of confidence. One style of leadership is adapted leadership that’s not going to get someone where they want to go & the other’s a more authentic and dynamic kind of leadership”.
And in 2024 and beyond, what should a person’s mindset be like?
Mehta opines, “One ought to embrace vulnerability and not be afraid to show imperfection. Being authentic means accepting and expressing one’s true self, including flaws and insecurities. As long as they stay hidden, a person would never get a chance to improve. A person must self-reflect to understand their own values and beliefs to understand where they picked up a value, why it’s important to them, whether it’s an authentic value or an adapted value and more. One should, also, establish clear boundaries to protect their authentic self, have the ability to say no and prioritize activities and relationships that align with their values. A person should surround themselves with folks who appreciate and support their authentic selves. Finally, people should trust their gut feelings and instincts for one’s intuition could guide them to more authentic choices”.
“Inauthentic relationships at work can hinder the development of any meaningful and supportive relations with colleagues. One could have lower self-esteem because one’s sense of self may be based on feedback they’re getting from one’s environment. Not being constantly in touch with oneself could lead to reduced job satisfaction, which may be responsible for the silent quitting epidemic”, quips Mehta.
Watch the full interaction here:
