HCI Webinar Recap: How We Can Reconcile Asking People to be "Authentic" But Then Punishing Them For Doing So, with Daniel Space

In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Daniel Space about how we can reconcile asking people to be "authentic" but then punishing them for doing so. Below is a summary of the main points from their conversation! Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!

Watch the episode here:

Quick Recap

Daniel and Jonathan explored the challenges of maintaining authenticity in the workplace while navigating potential conflicts with company policies and expectations. They discussed the role of HR Business Partners in creating supportive environments and shared personal experiences about balancing professional responsibilities with personal struggles. The conversation concluded with a discussion about the importance of authentic leadership and community-driven approaches to workplace culture, while emphasizing the need for meaningful support during times of societal challenges.

Authenticity in HR and TikTok

Daniel and Jonathan discussed the challenges of reconciling authenticity in the workplace with potential punishment for being authentic. They explored how HR Business Partners can bridge the gap between employees and companies, emphasizing the importance of empowering employees in decision-making processes. Daniel shared his experience with TikTok, where he gained a following for explaining HR concepts but faced issues with account bans. They also touched on the educational potential of TikTok and the need for HR professionals to manage their time effectively while creating content.

Authenticity in the Workplace

Daniel shared his personal experience of losing his mother to cancer in early 2021 and how he struggled to maintain productivity at work during his grief. He emphasized the importance of authenticity in the workplace, particularly for marginalized employees, and highlighted a specific presentation where he included pictures of his mother to honor her memory and express his authentic self. Jonathan agreed with Daniel's perspective and shared a rare instance from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic where a senior leader acknowledged the team's personal struggles, creating a moment of mutual support. Both speakers reflected on the challenges of balancing authenticity with workplace expectations and the need for companies to create safe spaces for employees to be their true selves.

Workplace Authenticity and Vulnerability Challenges

Daniel and Jonathan discussed the challenges of fostering authenticity and vulnerability in the workplace. They highlighted how well-meaning responses to emotional vulnerability, such as isolating employees, can inadvertently create a culture of forced isolation. Jonathan expressed doubt about the organization's ability to handle such situations skillfully without punishing employees, even with the best intentions. They also touched on the difficulty of balancing the need for authenticity with the necessity of not tolerating behaviors like bigotry and racism.

Authenticity in the Workplace Challenges

Daniel shared an example from a workplace where an employee openly discussed her personal interest in diaper play during a team-building exercise, highlighting the challenges of balancing authenticity with workplace comfort and legal considerations. He noted that successful experiments with authenticity in the workplace require top-down support and clear parameters, emphasizing that authenticity should not extend to personal lives involving illegal activities or harm. Jonathan and Daniel discussed the difficulty of defining and implementing such initiatives without imposing too many restrictions, with Jonathan suggesting that a community-driven approach could help establish guidelines that employees feel ownership over.

Authentic Leadership in Challenging Times

Jonathan and Daniel discussed the importance of creating authentic and supportive work environments, particularly in times of personal and societal challenges. They highlighted the need for leaders with empathy and emotional intelligence to navigate complex issues, such as racial injustices and political dynamics, and emphasized that managers are expected to handle more responsibilities than ever before. They also criticized companies for performative responses to significant events, such as the death of George Floyd and the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and stressed the importance of providing meaningful support to employees affected by such events.

Job Search and HR Insights

Jonathan and Daniel discussed the importance of exploring questions related to job searching and workplace dynamics. Daniel shared his excitement about launching an HRBP community and encouraged the audience to connect with him. They agreed to stay in touch regarding the upcoming release of their conversation on July 9th, with Jonathan offering to tag Daniel on LinkedIn when it's available. Daniel expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the discussion and encouraged further dialogue on improving job search processes.

Listen to the webinar here: