The difference between genuine authenticity and performed authenticity means everything

"Unfiltered authenticity without skill can be destructive. And yes, marginalized employees pay a higher price when they try to be authentic in systems that weren't built for them. But your team already knows when you're faking it. That difference between genuine authenticity and performed authenticity determines everything-trust, safety, retention, innovation. Think about the best leader you've ever had. Now the worst. What separated them?"

"Kevin had emotional intelligence. When you sent an email that landed wrong, he'd follow up: "Hey, I think you meant this . . ." He remembered small details from weeks ago. You felt seen. He operated from a place of genuine care. Nancy was polished. She said all the right things about supporting her team. But over time, you realized it was packaging-friendly but transactional. Like a car salesman calling you "buddy" while steering you toward the close. Surface-level all the way down."

"The result? People trusted Kevin enough to be vulnerable, to take risks, to bring their full selves. With Nancy, they performed. Stayed professional. Protected themselves. Kevin built wealth. Nancy went broke-losing her best people in the process. The Cost of Going Broke When leaders perform authenticity instead of practicing it, the price is steep. Trust erodes: Employees start second-guessing everything you say. They stop bringing you problems until they've become crises."

Authenticity functions like currency: when invested skillfully by leaders it builds trust, safety, retention, and organizational advantage, but unskilled or performed authenticity costs heavily. Unfiltered self-expression can harm teams and disproportionately penalize marginalized employees in systems not designed for them. Teams can detect inauthentic behavior, and that detection undermines psychological safety and willingness to be vulnerable. Leaders who demonstrate genuine emotional intelligence create environments where people take risks and bring their full selves, increasing engagement. Leaders who display packaged, transactional authenticity drive performance of persona, protection, and eventual loss of top talent. The price of performed authenticity is eroded trust and unresolved problems.

Read at Fast Company