The Authenticity Principle: Resist Conformity, Embrace Differences, and Transform How You Live, Work, and Lead

by Ritu Bhasin

In a society that pushes conformity, how can you courageously choose to be who you really are—with yourself, in your relationships, and at work—despite the fear of judgment? In The Authenticity Principle, award-winning leadership and diversity expert Ritu Bhasin gives you the tools to make this happen. Combining the latest neuroscience, leadership, diversity, and mindfulness research with a wealth of practical exercises, Bhasin unveils a cutting-edge framework for living and leading more authentically. She also reveals inspiring insights from a range of leaders who have overcome barriers to being authentic – including her own personal journey from lawyer to entrepreneur. Developed after years of working with global leaders and organizations, the book has at its core the transformational concept of the Three Selves. This new way of understanding authenticity will empower you to fearlessly and strategically choose how and when to show up as your Authentic Self and your Adapted Self, leaving behind your Performing Self. Ritu Bhasin shows that choosing to live authentically is the most important step you can take to thrive in your personal life, your relationships, and your career. More than just a call to “be yourself,” The Authenticity Principle is a rallying cry to disrupt the status quo, bring your differences into the light, and help others do the same.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Canada

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2017

Reviews

[Leonicka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of this book and was blown away. I read a lot of business and centered self-help books and Ritu Bhasin has written something quite special here. I love the work of Brené Brown, Liz Gilbert, and Sheryl Sandburg; Ritu Bhasin fits right in with them while also centering the needs of people of color and other minority communities. It was so wonderful to read a book that encourages me to be my truest self while acknowledge the oppressive systems that make that difficult. This is a book I will read again and again. Can't wait to share it with my friends.

[Lisapins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved core messages. Couple editorial notes: The book is a little repetitive, with a lot of name-dropping (ugh). Wish concepts were clearly laid out and separated from vignettes and examples. Easy read; writing style is a bit stream-of-consciousness at times.

[chantel nouseforaname · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ritu really gives a fuck. I like that about her. I had a couple of moments of pause where I was like: why would anyone in their right mind give into some of the abusive and self-limiting things she's given into in the beginning? However, it was then where I also realized: wanting to fit in and be absorbed into whiteness makes people do crazy shit! She's learned her lessons and is teaching from her mistakes and realizations.

I used this book to facilitate a workshop with my coworker on Authenticity and bringing your authentic self to work. We discussed the importance of not code-switching and standing true in who you are. I really loved how Ritu Bhasin introduced and broke down the Three Selves and how unrealistic it is to exist in the space of being your authentic self all the time, but how important it is to strive towards your Adapted Self and your Authentic Self and move away from the Performing Self. The women we facilitated this workshop to loved this concept and all the women were intrigued by this book and its other concepts.

There were some moments of redundancy towards the end - she really goes hard selling her well-defined and well-crafted principle. She quotes and pulls from all the greats: Oprah, Eckhart Tolle, Brene Brown, as well as her friends from both her personal and professional settings and many of her own experiences. It's all in there.

Honestly, as far as diversity and inclusion go, this book a high-quality contribution towards the importance of really creating space and change in workplaces and within the self for personal and professional growth. It's a contribution towards the movement for representation and the much-deserved/much-needed reality of individuals being able to be themselves. There's a lot to learn in here, it's easily accessible and valuable information.

[Rae Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw Ritu speak at a women’s leadership event and wanted to hear more of her voice. This book, which I listened to as an audiobook read by the author, does not present any wildly new or different ideas than what I have encountered previously. What I liked about it was the clear and authentic voice Ritu brings. The book brings together stories and themes and a way to examine one’s behaviour according to the three selves - performing, adaptive, and authentic - which resonates.

[Neil · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the acknowledgement that being fully authentic would be inappropriate in many situations. No one's goal should be to act like there are no consequences, because there are and should be.
Other than that, much of the book seems to lack any substance. Do behave but don't conform. There's many ways to be inauthentic, here's my list of 17 (or whatever) but I won't go into any details or provide any reason for listing them.
Many references to science that prove her points with no details.
It's semi autobiographical, which at times works and at times is just painful or makes this principle sound like something I would hate in people around me. When the author returned from her yoga retreat it sounds like many around her felt the same. Instead of an examination with any nuance on how changing yourself will change relationships, it comes across like other unenlightened people will hate you for your newfound awesomeness. Ugh.

To be fair, I couldn't finish it. So maybe the end was strong and addressed my problems, but I couldn't get there.

[Pankaj · Rating 2 out of 5]

My simple take from reading this book is that it helps one to self-justify one's own actions. You either are who you are, or not. How can one be authentic, if role playing for different situations. Perhaps I did not quite understand the principle; just as I do not understand Lord Krishna's interpretation of Dharma according each situation in the Bhagvadgita (refer Gurcharan Das' Difficulty of Being Good).

[Shimista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of folded pages and calls to action

[André Darmanin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to be a bit vulnerable here.

Last week, I had a job interview. One of the questions I like to ask the interviewer is what their leadership style is like. Now that I have been called for senior-level positions, I should be able to answer the same question, but it seems that I have been either ill-prepared or not being authentic. I spoke to a close friend of mine about it and she said she couldn't understand because I am well spoken and should be ready for those types of roles, especially when she saw me speak at an event recently.

So here is where Ritu's book comes in. As I read her book, there was so much I could relate to my current circumstances. For me most part, I was being my "performing self". Showing desperation and a sense of disempowerment.

Ritu asks the reader to go through some reflection and exercises towards being your authentic self. Many leadership books while discussing similar themes like presences and vulnerability, she adds an element that makes leadership being more authentic when it comes to self-expression related to lived experiences of those from different races, genders, abilities, etc. It was refreshing to read a leadership book from a person of colour, not to mention the odd Trini reference. :)

I would highly recommend reading this book and I am looking forward to expressing more of my authentic self in the future.

[Uzma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize there could be so many parts to the behaviour that displays itself as authentic. 'Be authentic' is an advice we hear regularly but it is not as easy to practice as it may seem, specially if you have uniquely different experiences than the groups you regularly walk with or work with. People are at a risk of feeling less engaged as they can't connect with their peers and this translates as limitations to career advancement.

Ritu has done a fine job of breaking down the dimensions of behaviour to help analyze, where you were exhibiting what, when you felt you were not being authentic and then gives a step by step strategy to cultivate authenticity. Granted, a lot of that work you may already have done if you are meditative/reflective person, but putting it in this framework is quite valuable. What I loved most is that she also gives room for situations where you plainly can't or shouldn't be authentic and helps you understand how to approach these from a place of empowerment. She also has advice for organizations and leaders for building authenticity in teams and workplaces.

[Rukhsar (rukhsandbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I told my therapist about this book… in a good way.

I was introduced to Ritu Bhasin through a webinar she hosted with Deepa Puru… I’m so glad I carved out that hour to attend the webinar and spent the subsequent hours reading and working through this book.

Thank you Bhasin for writing this and talking about authenticity from this lens. Thank you for also acknowledging privilege when it comes to authenticity.

So many of the stories she shares and points she discussed were relatable, from the larger life events to the smaller passive comments and actions.

A few of the many things my therapist and I talked about as a result of this book inlcuded:
“Caught in a mishmash of cultural identities”
“While I may have fit in, I still didn’t belong”
Triggers
Expectations we grow up with and are taught at a young age.

I highly recommend this book. Perhaps @lillyslibrary can make it a bookclub read.

[Arielle W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the core messages here. There's some great advice. A lot of it is common sense, but still it's good to have a reminder to actually DO the things. Like me, she spent years working in a law firm environment as a young lawyer and a woman of color, so she really gets it. I appreciate the way she presents her principles, but recognizes that everyone can't be their "authentic" self all the time, and that there may be reasons to adapt depending on the circumstance. But even if you can't do whatever you want to all the time, it's important to be as authentic to yourself as you can, and to move away from performing for other people.

[Deborah Charnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Bhasin’s other book. This one was too focused on careers and the workplace for me since I (like Bhasin) left the corporate world to be more my authentic self. Her other book was loaded with personal information which I could relate to and appreciated hearing. This book felt drier. I wanted to hear more of her stories.

That said, I think it had excellent content and the premise is very important.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have actually read this book a few times because sometimes I need a reminder to return to centre. I highly recommend this book if you want to live your most authentic life. Ritu is a powerful writer and speaker who is frank and honest so if you get a chance to hear her speak, either in person or virtually, take it!

[Amy Lillibridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ritu was recommended to me and has recently become one of my go-to's for Diversity & Inclusion commentary and leadership. Her book, focused on being yourself and embracing authenticity, provided a number of good nuggets to take on in both my personal and professional life.

[Jacquie Daniel]

What an awesome book on Diversity and Inclusion.
The author is from Toronto and she has a good perspective on this topic. A must read for anyone working in Social Services or Human Resources. Or working with anyone that is stigmatized in the community.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good message but very repetitive. I couldn't relate to a lot of what she was talking about. That said, she's amazing in person.

[Liz Sieloff simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book on being yourself and encouraging others to do so, especially as a leader.