382: How to Bring Your Whole Self to Work (Without Oversharing) with Mike Robbins

Nov 4, 2025

Mike Robbins, an executive coach and author known for his expertise in authenticity and team culture, joins the discussion on being your true self at work. He shares his 'authenticity equation' and the impact of vulnerability in building trust. Mike emphasizes the need to avoid self-righteousness and explores how to cultivate a gratitude culture within teams. The conversation highlights practical strategies like the 'appreciation seat' to encourage genuine connections, while also addressing the discomfort surrounding giving and receiving praise.

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INSIGHT

Authenticity Equation

Authenticity equals honesty minus self-righteousness plus vulnerability.
Mike Robbins frames authenticity as conviction without assuming you're absolutely right.

ADVICE

Ask Before You Coach

Ask permission before coaching: "Can I offer you some advice?".
Phrase feedback as a perspective you might be wrong about to reduce defensiveness.

INSIGHT

Vulnerability Is The Path To Courage

Vulnerability involves risk, emotional exposure, and uncertainty.
Meaningful work and relationships require walking through vulnerability to reach courage.

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Are you showing up as your full, authentic self or just the version you think others expect?

Authenticity isn’t a matter of oversharing or saying whatever’s on your mind. It’s about honesty balanced with humility and vulnerability, the kind that builds genuine trust and stronger teams.

Thankfully, today’s guest brings both experience and expertise to this conversation.

Mike Robbins is the author of five books, including Bring Your Whole Self to Work and his latest, We’re All In This Together. For the past 25 years, Mike has been a sought-after keynote speaker and executive coach who delivers keynotes, workshops, and coaching programs for some of the top companies in the world. His clients include Google, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Walmart, eBay, Schwab, and many more.

In this episode, we delve into what it truly means to “bring your whole self to work,” examine why self-righteousness undermines connection, and explore how vulnerability cultivates trust and psychological safety. Mike shares his “authenticity equation” and practical ways managers can model openness without crossing professional boundaries.

In the extended conversation, Mike delves deeper into the art of authentic appreciation, why most people are uncomfortable receiving praise, how to cultivate a culture of gratitude on your team, and the key distinction between appreciation and recognition. He also shares a powerful team practice, “the appreciation seat,” that helps managers cultivate belonging and empathy at work.

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Conversation Topics

(00:00) Introduction: Why Authenticity Matters at Work
(01:03) The Challenge of Showing Up Authentically
(01:46) The Authenticity Equation Explained
(03:14) Removing Self-Righteousness from Your Leadership
(06:55) The Subtle Ways Self-Righteousness Shows Up in Coaching
(10:21) Lowering the Waterline on the Iceberg
(16:24) The Art of Appropriate Disclosure
(18:53) Navigating Grief and Personal Struggles at Work
(22:30) Authenticity, Identity, and Belonging
(26:11) The Power of Sweaty Palm Conversations
(30:18) Connect with Mike Robbins
(31:07) [Extended Only] The art of appreciation: how to give and receive it authentically
(37:38) [Extended Only] Recognition vs. appreciation—what every manager should know

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Keep up with Mike Robbins

- Connect with Mike on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/

- Follow Mike on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mikedrobbins/

- Visit Mike’s website here: https://mike-robbins.com/

- Follow Mike on X here: https://x.com/mikedrobbins

- Follow Mike on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikedrobbins

Guest Bonus: Book Giveaway: 3 Copies of We're All in This Together: Creating a Team Culture of High Performance, Trust, and Belonging

In this book, corporate consultant Mike Robbins dives deep into the ways great businesses build trust, collaborate, and operate at their peak level. The book’s core principles include facilitating an environment of psychological safety, fostering inclusion and belonging, addressing and navigating conflict, and maintaining a healthy balance of high expectations and empathy.

Throughout, Mike shares powerful exercises and tools he’s successfully utilized in the keynote speeches, group sessions, and corporate retreats that he delivers so that you and your team can communicate more authentically, give and receive feedback with skill, and create deeper connections.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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