On Topic: To thine own self be true

A couple weeks ago at the DoubleTree by Hilton downtown, during a panel discussion I moderated as part of this year's Workplace (R) evolution, the conversation kind of went back and forth — what with the panelists' comments and questions from attendees — between working through how to encourage talented employees and how to make good career decisions for yourself, too.

One of the related topics that came up more than once, characterized in one way or another, was about finding yourself — being 'authentic,' 'being yourself.'

Now, my general experience is that 'being yourself' can be one or two incautious steps from 'speaking truth to power.' Which is a notion that was a frequent talking point on 'West Wing,' but in real life, I've discovered the hard way, isn't such a terrific idea, on any real-world career-development path.

In fact, just a few days before the (R) evolution event, the New York Times published an opinion column by Adam Grant, author of 'Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World' and management professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, on this very thing.

He argues we're in the Age of Authenticity. And he contends that for many of us — unless you're Oprah (or, I guess, a fictional adviser to the president of the United States) — being yourself is a rotten idea. After all, most people most of the time, he suggests, don't want to hear what you, in your heart of hearts, truly think. They really don't.

But would managers be doing their jobs if they didn't offer some guidance on occasion? Which entails revealing an opinion.

So Grant says we can let self-monitoring be our guide. So-called high self-monitors, he writes, pay attention their work and social environment — they keep their ears and eyes open — and adapt their remarks and behavior to that. They check which way the wind is blowing.

Low self-monitors? They tend to trust their own judgment. If you ask their opinion, you're likely to get it.

Grant goes on to cite psychologist Carol Dweck, who argues the belief that we all possess a 'true self' — you know, that thing to which you're supposed to be true — can hinder us from learning and growing.

So Grant advises that it might be better to figure who you want to be, then work toward that ideal. Pick up tips and cues from leaders you want to emulate, see what makes sense — and feels right — for you.

To be clear, I don't think any life coach or high school guidance counselor would — or at least, should — advise someone to, say, take up a career in public speaking if the thought of standing before a large crowd makes you break out in hives and ill to your stomach.

But maybe it's baby steps. Instead of pushing that up-and-coming prospective supervisor to give next week's big presentation, maybe pair her or him for a time with a more seasoned worker who can act as a mentor.

And while you're figuring out your own career trajectory, pay attention to how other leaders handle situations. Take what you like, leave the rest. Figure out whom you want to be by trying out different models.

And remember, the line about 'to thine own self be true' was said by Polonius. He got stabbed by Hamlet in Act 3.

• Michael Chevy Castranova is Sunday business editor of The Gazette, among other things. (319) 398-5873; michaelchevy.castranova@thegazette.com