Columbia professor says ‘don’t be yourself’ in the workplace, actually. Here’s why authenticity is ‘overrated’

Fortune ^ | October 9, 2025 | Sasha Rogelberg

[C19fan]

“Just be yourself” may be an oft-given piece of advice, but it won’t take you in the right direction as a workplace leader, one psychology of business professor argues.

While authenticity has been linked with increased self-esteem, it can also hamper a leader’s ability know when to stop advocating for one’s personal values and start advocating for their team, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, a professor of business psychology at University College London and Columbia University adjunct professor, says in his new book Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated (and What to Do Instead).

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TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: business; corporate

[C19fan]

"Just be yourself" means dysfunction for any organization. Follow the example of Wemmick from Dickens' "Great Expectations" where you take on the personality to get the job done at work, then show your eccentric outside the office. There is a social media trend of women calling themselves office sluts by wearing improper clothing to work but what is wrong with that if the woman is "just being herself".

[equaviator]

"women calling themselves office sluts by wearing improper clothing to work"

They're inauthentic if all they're doing is making themselves look slutty, but even then it would be somewhat disruptive to have slutty-looking women walking around in the workplace, especially if they're beautiful slutty-looking women.

[riverrunner]

If you don’t know how to behave properly in different environments.

You most likely don’t k now how to behave all together.

[equaviator]

[JayGalt]

This is bizzare advice. The author is confused by the meaning of “be yourself”.
“This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man”
Being true to yourself means not affronting your conscience. Be true to your sense of honor and morality.
It does not mean you need to trumpet your every thought or whim. Being yourself does not ean you cannot honor your commitments, indeed it means you must. By accepting employment you agree to prioritize the business’s goals and work to best achieve them. In most cases this involves working harmoniously with others. Your priorities are to honor that commitment not to assert your personal ideas or opinions. If keeping your commitment to the business is not compatible with being true to your moral code you must resign.

[JayGalt]

does not ean = does not mean

[Red6]

“office slut” is over the top.

But...

Women are beautiful.

If a woman puts on a little sex appeal and is feminine, within limits, but even at work, it’s simply nice.

Peacocks are pretty too. I don’t try to have sex with them either. Just because someone is attractive doesn’t mean much other than they care how they look.

America with our self-esteem garbage and feminists have created what I call the “princess.”

Imagine a fat girl, dresses androgenous, no degree, dead end job, doesn’t make that much, no name family, not spectacular in bed nor a model, can’t even cook worth a damn, nor is a solid character and loyal!

BUT they think they’re God’s gift to the world.

Nothing to offer anyone except their inflated sense of self worth, prescription mood enhancers and their counselor which is on speed dial.

IMHO, that’s the real reason why you see so many guys look for girls abroad.

[spincaster]

I disagree with you professor. I have actually worked in the real world for 50 years ,spending 38 of it as a manager , and i have found that being honest and real, means more than any of your bullshit babble!

[NurdlyPeon]

“Always be yourself, unless you can be....Batman!”

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[Larry Lucido]

I have to be myself. Everybody else is taken.

[Frank Drebin]

"It’s a saying they have, that a man has three hearts..."

[Teacher317]

it would be somewhat disruptive to have slutty-looking women walking around in the workplace, especially if they're beautiful slutty-looking women.

I'd argue that the NON-beautiful slutty-looking women are even more of a distraction... ugh.

[Vaduz]

Don’t Be Yourself: Don’t be opionated or judgemental like
everyone else is keep it hid like they do.

AKA boot licker blending

[Albion Wilde]

This article is a sad illustration of the corrosive narcissism of young snowflakes after decades of coddling. The author is tactfully trying to motivate commonsense workplace behaviors like teamwork, cooperation and responsiveness to others (certainly including customers) that are viewed as “disinguenous” and “inauthentic” to a generation of self-centered, entitled crybabies.

[Albion Wilde]

I have actually worked in the real world for 50 years ,spending 38 of it as a manager , and i have found that being honest and real, means more than any of your bullshit babble!

spincaster, have you considered that your definition of "real" may be entirely different than that of the current over-sexualized, atheist and communist-indoctrinated young workplace entrants?