In a recent article, Tanner Wortham talked about the need for unpolished leaders and leadership. In it he listed attributes of unpolished leaders and one of them was –

It’s our leaders’ ability to be true to themselves but also adapts their style to fit the person or circumstance. Let’s call it elastic authenticity.

It made me think about authenticity in a new way. I’ve always tried to amplify my principles in my leadership. And it’s led me to think of it in binary terms.

• Either I’m authentic, or I’m not.

• Either I’m principled, or I’m not.

• Either I’m walking my talk, or I’m not.

• Either I’m full of S**T, or I’m not.

You get the idea…

But Tanner’s thought made me reconsider my views on authenticity. To begin changing my mental models to be less binary. Instead, take the view that my principles and values as a set of guardrails. Guardrails that allow me some flexibility to be authentic, but not be so entrenched that I feel it’s my way or the highway.

Some things I might start flexing or stretching on include—