Career lessons on authenticity and trust

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫! “Fake it till you make it." I know because I used to believe in it. I smiled through doubts, nodded in meetings even when I wasn’t sure, and tried to act like I had it all figured out. But let me tell you—it didn’t work. Instead of building confidence, it left me feeling like an impostor in spaces I had already earned. The problem with “Fake it till you make it” is that it encourages you to mask your doubts and avoid asking questions. But in the corporate world, this mindset can backfire. Pretending to know everything won’t earn you respect. It’ll leave you stuck, missing out on growth opportunities, and potentially making costly mistakes. Over my 5+ years in Big 4s, startups, and a regulatory body, I’ve learned that confidence doesn’t come from faking. It comes from showing up authentically. It comes from owning what you know, being honest about what you don’t, and actively seeking to learn and grow. If you’re still figuring out your career, here’s my advice: 📌Ask questions. It shows initiative, not weakness. 📌Admit when you need help—it builds trust. 📌Focus on learning and improving every day—that’s what truly sets you apart. 📌Don’t fake it. Build it. That’s how you create a lasting, successful corporate career. Have you ever felt the pressure to “fake it”? Have you faced this in your career, and how did you handle it? LinkedIn LinkedIn News India LinkedIn Life LinkedIn Guide to Networking #linkedin #growth #mindset #corporate #politics

Authenticity is the golden rule when it comes to working with Family Offices. They can tell within moments if you are being genuine. Early in my career, in my twenties and thirties, I thought being a leader meant having all the answers. If someone asked me a question I didn’t know, I would find a way to make it sound like I did. I believed confidence was the same thing as credibility. Over time I learned that there is far more I don’t know than I do, and that is perfectly fine. Today, when someone asks me a question, I often respond with “I don’t know” or “I’m not qualified to answer that.” That honesty has become one of the most valuable lessons in my life. It builds real trust and creates space for meaningful relationships. Family Offices value sincerity more than polish. They have seen every pitch and every personality type. What matters most is truth. They want to work with people who are grounded, self-aware, and genuine in both words and actions. When founders ask for advice, I tell them to stop trying to impress and start trying to connect. The families you want to work with are investing in people. The most powerful thing you can bring into any conversation is your true self, exactly as you are.

The most expensive thing in sales isn't a lost deal. It's lost... trust. 😮💨 You know what's funny? → We spend hours perfecting our sales pitch. → Learning all the techniques. → Mastering the closes. But we forget the most basic human need: Trust 🤝 I used to think being "professional" meant hiding behind a corporate mask. ❌ I soon realized that was a big mistake. Today, I help sales professionals show up differently: → Less pitching, more connecting → Less scripting, more storytelling → Less selling, more serving Because here's the truth: 💡 People buy from those they trust. And trust? That's built through authenticity, not authority. Your personal brand isn't just about looking good. → It's about being real. Try these tips and start to build trust in your brand: ✅ Be Vulnerable → Share your challenges and failures. → People connect with real stories. ✅ Engage Authentically → Respond to comments and messages with genuine interest. → Show you care. ✅ Show Consistency → Be consistent in your messaging and values across platforms. → Trust builds with reliability. ✅ Listen Actively → Pay attention to your audience’s needs and feedback. → Adapt your approach accordingly. ✅ Share Your Expertise → Offer valuable insights without expecting anything in return. → This positions you as a trusted resource. Authenticity isn't a strategy; it's the foundation of lasting relationships. What's holding you back from showing your authentic self online? 👇 P.s. ✍🏻 I am Benjamin Loh, CSP, a strategic growth coach and consultant who has taught over 65,000 leaders in over 20 global cities and constructed some of the leading icons (TOT, Award Winners) in the financial industry in Asia through the power of authentic storytelling and authority building. 💪 Follow me for personal brand and growth insights. #topofmind #millennials #business

I used to think authenticity was my career advantage. It was actually my blind spot. Early in my leadership journey, I believed authenticity meant saying what I felt, showing all my emotions, and bringing my whole self to work. It felt honest. Liberating. “Real.” But it quietly cost me influence. Because here’s the truth I wish someone told me sooner: People don’t judge authenticity by how you feel. They judge it by how your behavior lands. A new Harvard Business Review article by Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, “When Authentic Leadership Backfires” (Oct 2025), found that across 55 independent studies, it’s impression management—not self-perceived authenticity—that predicts leadership effectiveness, trust, and career advancement. In other words: Leaders who adapt their behavior- who know when to filter, flex, and frame - are seen as more authentic by others. That’s not manipulation. That’s maturity. It took me years to understand that authenticity isn’t about transparency, it’s about intentionality. Because leadership isn’t about broadcasting your whole self. It’s about bringing your best self, in service of others. Here’s what that looks like in practice: 1. Feel deeply. Filter wisely.  → Before you speak, ask: “Is this helpful or just honest?” If it’s the latter, pause. 2. Lead with self-awareness.  → Record a meeting or presentation and watch it back, not to judge, but to study your impact. 3. Balance honesty with restraint.  → Name the issue, not the emotion: “We missed a target,” not “I’m furious.” 4. Evolve your expression.  → Each new role requires a language upgrade. Observe the leaders two levels up, what do they emphasize that you don’t yet? Caveat: don’t copy toxic behavior. Use it as a “what not to do” instead. 5. Protect your integrity, but adjust your delivery.  → Translate conviction into curiosity: replace “Here’s what I think” with “Here’s what I’m seeing, how does that connect for you?” I’ve learned that impression management isn’t pretending. It’s precision in motion. And the leaders who master it? They’re not less authentic. They’re just more self-aware. 💬Where in your career might “being real” be holding you back from being effective? 🔖Tag someone who leads with authenticity and intention. ➕Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC for more human-centered career shift.

In recent years, it’s been gratifying to see leaders acknowledge the importance of authenticity for effective leadership. It was not always that way. When I joined the national security community many years ago, there were few women in my role as an operations officer and fewer still in operational command roles. Back then, there was a particular, stereotypical model for the “successful” operational leader — the bold, brash, glad-handing extrovert (even if our most senior leaders in the intelligence world rarely reflected this model). Women officers, at the time, were navigating a challenging landscape and many chose to try on that model as a pathway to success. I fell prey to this for a time too, but luckily came to a bit of an epiphany. For me, that stereotypical leadership model felt awkward and unnatural, which created a barrier between myself and the teams I hoped to lead. Think back to any moment when you worked with someone who seemed inauthentic and you’ll know exactly what I mean. Why? Trust can never develop in the absence of authenticity, and effective leadership can never flourish in the absence of trust. So, I realized there was only one path to effective leadership, and that was to embrace my unique leadership style. To be my authentic self and show others that they could do the same. And the interesting thing? My career progression accelerated. This photo dates from the month I was promoted into the Senior Intelligence Service (the CIA’s flag rank equivalent) nearly 18 years ago. Have you ever struggled to figure out your own leadership style? How is authenticity encouraged (or perhaps not) in your field? How has authenticity impacted your career trajectory?

I’m polarizing. People either like me or hate me. There’s rarely an in-between. I’ve always been authentically Daniel. Whether I’m in a suit in the boardroom or in gym clothes, I don’t switch personas. I’m serious about my professional work and very unserious about myself. I say exactly what I mean, and interpret for those who refuse to listen. I’m empathetic and care about people, while demanding accountability and deterring defiance. I laugh. I joke. I’m dapper. I’m smart. And I adapt. I know those statements make some people uncomfortable. That’s because I’m self-aware and unbothered by the fact that not everyone will like me. I even think the ability to be disliked is a strength—and a pathway to success. To be clear: no one should strive to be disliked. But being comfortable with it frees you to be authentic. To me, authenticity is the ability to recognize your values, beliefs, and personality while still respecting workplace norms and boundaries. One of my favorite examples of this came during an executive job interview with a college president. A former military man, he was curt, direct, and stern. He looked me in the eye and said: “I’ve read your resume. Tell me what you do.” I launched into a polished answer: “I help students succeed.” He interrupted me. I tried again. Cut off again. By the third round, he leaned in closer, sharper this time: “Tell me what you do.” So I dropped the safe persona and gave him the truth: “I get shit done.” He hired me immediately. No hesitation. No follow-up. Just said, “I found my guy.” That moment taught me something: people who truly value authenticity don’t want a résumé, they want the real you. In that situation, blunt honesty carried more weight than corporate jargon ever could. But being authentic has its highs and lows: The Highs: 1) Builds deep trust (people know exactly where you stand). 2) Attracts the right opportunities and the right leaders. 3) Saves time; No energy wasted pretending. The Lows: 1) Some people are allergic to honesty. 2) Authenticity can polarize: you’re either refreshing or “too much.” 3) Many corporate cultures reward conformity over candor. Last month, a mentor of mine put it plainly when I asked why authenticity rubs some people the wrong way: “You’re authentically you. Most professionals have decided to mask their authenticity with a safe, stale persona. They can’t fathom the idea of someone being both authentic AND successful.” That stuck with me. Because at the end of the day, I’ll always take “too much” over “too fake.” The one thing no one can ever say about me is that I’m boring, or lazy, or that I don’t get shit done. How has authenticity impacted your career?

The Cost of Hiding For much of my career, I was told I didn’t “connect socially” with my team. I knew why — I was hiding a part of myself. Every word, every interaction, every personal detail filtered through fear — fear of rejection, or of career doors quietly closing. Even now, on National Coming Out Day — in a world that talks so much about authenticity — sharing who you are still carries risk. But the greater risk is what happens when you don’t. When you hide a part of yourself, it doesn’t just protect you — it distances you. It builds a wall between you and the people you lead. Authenticity isn’t a slogan; it’s a form of courage. And when you finally stop hiding, everything changes — connection, trust, even performance. I’ve learned that leadership and authenticity aren’t separate traits. They’re the same muscle — one you can’t strengthen without using. To anyone still weighing that step — you’re not alone, and it’s worth it. #Leadership #Authenticity #Inclusion #LGBT #CIO #Transformation #NationalComingOutDay

The most valuable career lesson I learned this year was... that genuine relationships transform careers more than expertise alone. Stop chasing connections. Start building trust. I used to think networking meant having the perfect elevator pitch. Or collecting business cards at events. Or growing my LinkedIn connections. I was wrong. Real relationships are built in small moments: → A thoughtful follow-up email → A shared resource without being asked → A connection made because you truly care → An honest conversation when it matters most Small actions create strong bonds: - Notice someone mentioned a book? Send them an article on the topic. - See a former colleague achieved something? Write a specific, thoughtful note. - Remember someone's looking to learn a skill? Share a relevant opportunity. - Hear about a job that's perfect for someone? Make that introduction. - Read something that made you think of them? Take 30 seconds to send it. The truth? Building relationships isn't about collecting contacts. It's about creating connections. And the best connections happen when you: - Show up with curiosity - Listen more than you speak - Think "How can I help?" instead of "What can I get?" - Follow up meaningfully - Stay consistent over time Because success isn't just about what you know. It's about who knows what you can do. And that only happens through authentic relationships. Start today. One small action at a time.

Your network isn’t just about who YOU know—it’s about who knows you and trusts you. ❌ Great relationships aren’t built on transactions. ✅ They’re built on trust, generosity, and showing up as your real self. I used to think networking was about collecting contacts. That was a short-sighted and selfish view of networking. I quickly learned that the real power of networking happens when you give more than you take. 💡 Offer your time. 💡 Share your knowledge. 💡 Listen—really listen. People want to be heard. 💡 Be vulnerable, be authentic, show up as you are. When I stopped holding back and started sharing what I know, everything changed. My credibility grew. My network expanded. And—no surprise—opportunities followed. 🔥 In fact, most of my career opportunities came from my network because I built relationships on mutual respect, learning, and authenticity. And that last piece is the most important. ✨ Authenticity begets authenticity. ✨ When you show up as you, you give others permission to do the same. That’s when real connections happen. That’s when people want to work with you, collaborate with you, and yes—bring you along for new opportunities. So, my advice to people who want to expand their networks to build real, lasting relationships: 1️⃣ Give more than you take. 2️⃣ Show up as yourself (and make other people feel safe enough to do the same). . What's your best advice for building a strong network?

To early-career salespeople: authenticity wins. You’ll sell more by being genuine than by trying to trick your way in. Yes, it’s tough to get time with executives, but pretending to seek career advice when your real motive is selling guarantees you’ll never earn trust, even if you land the meeting. In the past two weeks, two new sales professionals (both in their first roles) reached out for career advice in information security. I agreed to short calls. But when the meetings started, each showed up with their Director of Sales, who quickly pivoted the conversation into probing my business needs. That’s not clever; it’s dishonest. Starting a relationship with a lie is the fastest way to lose credibility and a sale. Worse, it discourages people from taking future calls with people who truly want to learn. If you’re early (or even late) in your career: be honest, be curious, and focus on building relationships, not setting traps. Trust is the real door-opener.