Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

462: Why “Bring Your Whole Self To Work” Is Dangerous Advice for Senior Leaders

Sep 19, 2025

Is being too authentic at work sabotaging your leadership? Discover intriguing insights from recent Harvard Business Review research that suggests the 'bring your whole self to work' philosophy may harm senior leaders. Learn how power dynamics can impact your personality and why creating boundaries is key. Practical strategies are shared to help leaders maintain authenticity without oversharing, ensuring you lead with impact while preserving your credibility.

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INSIGHT

Whole-Self Advice Can Harm Leaders

The "bring your whole self to work" movement can backfire for senior leaders because unfiltered quirks ripple across an organization.
Leaders must weigh inclusion against the potential negative consequences of oversharing.

INSIGHT

Power Changes Personality

Power changes people by reducing empathy and self-control, a phenomenon supported by psychological research.
Leaders often lose the traits that got them influence, creating a "power paradox."

ANECDOTE

Too-Much-Authenticity Examples

Laura gives examples like executives oversharing impulsive thoughts or hosting meetings barefoot to illustrate excess authenticity.
She compares such behavior to reality TV rather than effective leadership.

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Are you unknowingly sabotaging your credibility by being too authentic at work?

If you're a high-performing introvert or senior leader aiming to strengthen your executive presence, today's episode is your wake-up call. We’re breaking down brand-new Harvard Business Review research that reveals how the "bring your whole self to work" movement may be quietly undermining your authority, your team’s stability, and your career progression.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

😭Why unfiltered authenticity can backfire—especially in leadership roles

🔥How power impacts your personality (in ways you might not notice)

🪝5 practical strategies to be authentic without oversharing or weakening your influence

Press play to discover how to lead with purpose, boundaries, and presence—without losing your authenticity or your edge.

So if you’re a high performer with your eye on that next-level leadership role, but you’re not sure where the line is between “being real” and “being reckless” — and maybe that uncertainty is holding you back — but you still want to lead with impact and empathy without slipping into overexposure... that’s exactly why we built the Executive Presence Scorecard.

It helps you assess your current strengths and gaps across the four pillars of executive presence — so you can start showing up like a leader who gets noticed and respected. If that sounds like what you need, email me at hello@speakupwithlaura.com with the word “score” in the subject line. I’ll send it to you personally!

The HBR article by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Why Leaders Should Bring Their Best Self—Not Their Whole Self—to Work.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.