“I want to remain authentic” is a comment I hear from many people I coach.
Authenticity is key in building trust with others and in developing true executive presence. At the same time, it may also turn into an excuse for not taking on feedback or changing behaviours that are getting in your way.
Next time you notice yourself being reluctant to accept a piece of feedback – for example on your communication style – ask yourself: is this a bug* or a feature** of my personality?
*Bug = A fault or flaw in a program or hardware that causes unintended behaviour and undesired results.
**Feature = An important and distinctive quality or ability that has a positive impact on your results and relationships.