HBR's 10 Must Reads on Communication, Vol. 2 (with bonus article "Leadership Is a Conversation" by Boris Groysberg and Michael Slind)

Be Yourself, But Carefully

by Lisa Rosh and Lynn Offermann

“AUTHENTICITY” IS THE NEW BUZZWORD among leaders today. We’re told to bring our full selves to the office, to engage in frank conversations, and to tell personal stories as a way of gaining our colleagues’ trust and improving group performance. The rise in collaborative workplaces and dynamic teams over recent years has only heightened the demand for “instant intimacy,” and managers are supposed to set an example.

But the honest sharing of thoughts, feelings, and experiences at work is a double-edged sword: Despite its potential benefits, self-disclosure can backfire if it’s hastily conceived, poorly timed, or inconsistent with cultural or organizational norms—hurting your reputation, ...