Am I being myself or just acting as others expect me to? Everyone wonders this at some point. But there's a difference between seeming authentic and being authentic. Let's break down the term.

Authentic comes from Greek and means "real" or "reliable." Synonyms include genuine, unaltered, or unembellished.

The Appearance

When we say an actor plays their role authentically, their actions, posture, gestures, and expressions match the script. If we didn't know we were watching a performance, we'd believe they were the person they're portraying.

The secret to seeming authentic is to "sell" your personality credibly, sincerely, and honestly. However, this doesn't have to match your true self. That's why the actor only seems authentic.

The Being

True authenticity means not pretending and standing up for your opinions and values without hesitation. Your actions align with your words, reflecting your values.

Imagine you're a department manager. The company owner had a dispute with one of your employees. He hints that he wants you to push this employee out, so they quit without severance. But this goes against your values of honesty and your opinion of the employee. You see them as reliable and diligent.

You don't want to betray your views, so you stand up to your boss. You explain why you won't follow his subtle suggestion, even if it risks your job. You remain true to yourself and politely but firmly oppose him.

An authentic person seems credible and trustworthy to others because they defend their values even in tough situations.

Do you see the difference between seeming authentic and being authentic? Good.

In contrast, someone not truly authentic would cave in the situation described above, fearing for their job. If you often use white lies, you might seem convincingly authentic, but maintaining this facade is tough. Sooner or later, people will notice your stories don't always add up and label you as not sincere. Some sensitive people can sense when you're not telling the truth—your truth. Like a mother knows when her child is lying.

Authenticity is Precious but Costly

However, we can't always afford to be authentic.

Imagine a job interview for a store manager position at a discount retailer. In most interviews, people don't say what they really think. The applicant wants a well-paying job. So, they keep their hobby "free climbing" a secret until they're hired and past the probation period. As a manager, this hobby might be seen as risky, which is a downside for shareholders and owners who want safe returns. To improve their chances, the applicant says they enjoy board game nights with friends. This highlights that they're sociable and good with people.

Conclusion

As you can see, it's not always wise to wear your true self on your sleeve. To stay true to your conscience, you must balance the role you play with your true personality.

In summary, being authentic means:

• Standing reliably by your words.
• Keeping your values even under threat of consequences.
• Aligning your posture, gestures, and expressions with your words.
• Not pretending unless absolutely necessary.

Ultimately, this powerful word has many meanings across different fields. Now, you can decide for yourself if you're living authentically.