Authenticity, Psychology, and Business

The psychological study of happiness is otherwise known as positive psychology. In positive psychology, authenticity is seen as crucial to well-being. Psychologist Kennon Sheldon describes it as “behavior that we have freely chosen and which allows us to express who we are”. But, why is this important for business?

Neil Pasricha suggests that authenticity could be linked to happiness if it leads us to pursue things that are more fun and fulfilling to us. That said, being authentic to ourselves and pursuing our goals in business will lead to a more enjoyable lifestyle.

Psychological Health

In psychological studies conducted on authenticity, people who score higher on authentic living tend to report higher self-esteem, more positive emotions, and greater happiness than those who score lower. These studies do not show that authenticity is the main cause for greater well-being. However, they show a positive correlation between authenticity and psychological health.

In the business world, we all know that individuals with high self-esteem and good psychological health tend to be more successful. They’re usually happier than those who lack these things.

Relationships and Authenticity

Researchers also found a positive correlation between authenticity and satisfaction in relationships. Many people avoid authenticity in relationships because they fear rejection, according to Jantz.

For those of us in business, what is a key component of the business world? Networking. In order to network successfully, we must be able to build relationships successfully.

So how do we overcome this gap? Psychologist Brene Brown explains that research participants felt fulfilled and connected to each other when they were true to themselves. Authenticity is crucial for developing close relationships, but fear of rejection keeps us from expressing our true selves. To be authentic, and build form close relationships, one must overcome this fear of rejection.

Good luck in overcoming your psychological hurdles! For more information on this topic, visit HealthyPsych or Division 17 of the American Psychological Association.