Is “Be Yourself” Bad Career Advice? The Truth About Authenticity and Success

Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

Careers, Business

4.7 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 23 February 2026

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Be yourself. That’s the advice we give graduates, job seekers, and leaders. But what if it’s wrong? In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with organizational psychologist and author Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic to interrogate one of the most popular ideas in modern career advice: authenticity at work. Tomas is the Chief Talent Scientist at ManpowerGroup, a professor of business psychology, and the author of Don't Be Yourself. His research explores personality, leadership, workplace performance, and the science of success. In this conversation, he challenges the notion that “just be yourself” is the key to career growth—especially in a rapidly changing job market shaped by AI, shifting power dynamics, and rising inequality. Together, Jessi and Tomas unpack how authenticity functions as both a personal value and a professional strategy—and why it can be a privilege reserved for those already in the “in-group.” They also examine what young professionals, underemployed graduates, and leaders navigating AI disruption need to understand about perception, communication skills, and the future of work. Jessi and Tomas discuss: • Why authenticity at work is often misunderstood—and how perception matters more than self-expression • The hidden privilege behind “bring your whole self to work” • In-group vs. out-group dynamics in workplace culture • AI and the future of work: entry-level jobs, automation, and the changing career ladder • Why curiosity—not authenticity—may be a critical skill for 2026 • Balancing personal values with organizational expectations • The psychology of influence, impression management, and professional success If you’ve ever felt frustrated by workplace politics, confused about how much of yourself to reveal at work, or anxious about how AI is reshaping career paths, this episode is for you. We will be launching the Hello Monday book club soon. If you’re interested in joining, send us an email at hellomonday@linkedin.com and let us know! Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/hellomonday-LI-video-youtube Watch/Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/hellomonday-LI-video-spotify⁠ Listen on Apple: https://bit.ly/hellomonday-LI-video-apple⁠

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	When companies tell you, they want you to be your true self or bring your whole self to work,
0:05.2	what they mean is be your best self. My unfiltered self is this. Yeah. It's just three shots of coffee.
0:12.2	Yes. But what my employer wants and what others want is like this, still there.
0:17.0	Yep. But you know, with a little bit of cream or milk or something.
0:21.3	At least in a American.
0:22.3	Maybe even sweetener.
0:25.3	Yes.
0:29.5	From LinkedIn News, I'm Jesse Hempel, and this is Hello Monday.
0:33.6	It's our show about the changing nature of work and how that work is changing all of us.
0:38.3	Okay, some of the most popular career advice is also the very worst.
0:42.3	It's the adage, just be yourself.
0:45.3	You know, it's a gateway to this notion that you should bring your whole self to work.
0:49.3	Lead with authenticity. Sounds so liberating.
0:53.3	But what if be yourself only works for people who already fit in?
0:58.8	Joining me is Tomas Chimoro Pramuzik. He's a psychologist, an entrepreneur. He's the chief
1:05.3	talent scientist at Manpower Group. He's also a professor of business psychology and the author of a cool book.
1:11.6	It's called Don't Be Yourself, why authenticity is overrated and what to do instead.
1:17.6	Tomas has spent his career studying how personality and perception and power actually shaped success.
1:24.6	In this conversation, we are going to unpack what authenticity really means. Who can
1:29.6	really afford it and why the future of work may demand something way more strategic than simply
1:35.1	being ourselves. Here is Thomas Chamorro Pramuzic. The thing that I really want to talk with
1:43.5	you about today is actually on the surface quite simple.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from LinkedIn, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of LinkedIn and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.