Some Additional Comments on Adaptive Authenticity
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‘Front stage’ and ‘backstage’ or impression management
“…The concept of front stage (public persona) and backstage (or authentic, private self)……psychological strain can arise if there is too great a discrepancy of tension between these selves…”
Michelle Gibbings, 2025i
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Social intelligence
“…The capacity to sense others’ feelings and perspectives, and act in a way that build relationships. It sits at the intersection of empathy, self-regulation and influence…”
Daniel Goleman as quoted by Michelle Gibbings, 2025i
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Many selves
“… Self is not a singular truth to be revealed, but a dynamic construct shaped through social interaction…”
Michelle Gibbings, 2025i
You have as many selves as there are people who recognise you.
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Authentic nasties
“… We will meet someone who uses authenticity as a shield of poor behaviour. ‘I'm just being honest” they'll say, after delivering a cutting remark. Or ‘That's just who I am’. When challenged about being abrasive. Being genuine doesn't excuse being unkind. Authenticity without empathy quickly becomes seen as arrogance…”
Michelle Gibbings, 2025i
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Slogans
Be careful of using slogans that state ‘be yourself’, ‘bring your whole self to work” and ‘tell it like it is’; advice such as this could do more harm than good as it can oversimplify the situation and not take into consideration all the nuance.
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Adaptability
Your evolutionary survival depends upon the ability to understand the group, eg reading cues, adjusting behaviour and managing impressions to maintain the inclusion of the community.
Throughout history
“… The ability to adapt to changing environments, norms and expectations has enabled humans to cooperate in complex social systems, ranging from tribes and families the multinational corporations and teams. In organisational life, adaptability functions much like emotional intelligence: it’s a capacity to read the room, calibrate your responses and express yourself in ways that are both effective and effective. This doesn't mean being fake. It means being flexible……Leaders often grow in authenticity by experimenting with new roles and identities …”
Michelle Gibbings, 2025i
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Social creatures
Human beings like being with other human beings, rather than being alone; we are wired to connect, cooperate and adapt.
Summary
| Concept | Essence |
|---|---|
| 1. Adaptive Authenticity | Staying true to your values while adjusting behaviour to fit context; it requires a balancing integrity and agility |
| 2. Why It Matters | Builds trust, flexibility and resilience in times of change. |
| 3. Outcome | Leaders and teams who are both grounded and agile — capable of guiding transformation with integrity |
“… Being authentic doesn't mean saying everything you think or showing everything you feel. It means staying true to your values while being aware of the impact of your behaviours on those around you…”
Michelle Gibbings, 2025i
Authentic leadership has been defined
“…as self-awareness, internalised moral perspective, balanced processing in relational transparency…”
Michelle Gibbings, 2025i
“…Authenticity matters, but only when it's coupled with self-awareness, discernment and emotional regulation…”
Michelle Gibbings, 2025i