We’ve all heard the advice: bring your whole self to work.

But recently, two voices made me stop and rethink that message — Amy Edmondson, who reminds us that authenticity needs accountability, and Jodi-Ann Burey, whose book Authentic: The Myth of Bringing Your Full Self to Work explores how “being yourself” can carry a cost, especially for women and people of colour.

Amy’s post offered a great example: a colleague who interrupts everyone and says, “That’s just how I am.”

Authentic? Maybe.

But not exactly inclusive. Her point: instead of bringing our whole selves, we should bring our best selves — still imperfect, but aware of others.

Then there’s Jodi-Ann’s story: accused of having a “race agenda” two weeks into a new job, even though inclusion was part of her role. It highlights the contradiction so many people face — workplaces say they want authenticity and diversity, but often punish it when it shows up in real life.

For me, authenticity isn’t about exposure, it’s about integrity — showing up in a way that feels aligned and safe. True belonging means both care and accountability, for ourselves and for the spaces we share.

🕰️ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Why “whole self” can be both promise and trap01:30 – Amy Edmondson: authenticity with accountability04:00 – Jodi-Ann Burey: when being yourself has a cost09:00 – Gen Z and shifting ideas of success11:30 – My reflections on authenticity and belonging

✨ Key Takeaways

* Authenticity matters, but so does accountability.

* Being yourself shouldn’t come at a personal cost.

* You don’t owe work your whole self — only your best self.

📚 Mentioned

* Amy Edmondson’s post on authenticity (on LinkedIn)

Authentic: The Myth of Bringing Your Full Self to Work by Jodi-Ann Burey

👩🏽‍💻 ✨ This podcast is fully self-funded.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please comment below!Any questions or if you’d love to reach out, DM me!67fdd0481070a3063a748759d71f2f2814fe3a0e

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit belongingproject.substack.com