Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic | Breaking the Four Authenticity Traps

Psychologist, author, and innovator Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic joins Al Adamsen to rethink what “authenticity” really means at work. Drawing on his new book Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated (and What to Do Instead), Tomas unpacks the Four Authenticity Traps, why “bring your whole self to work” can backfire, and how to lead with self-awareness, situational awareness, and integrity. We also explore inclusion, identity, and how to give and receive feedback in ways that build trust rather than erode it.

What You’ll Learn

• The Four Authenticity Traps, and why well-meant advice (e.g., “always be honest,” “don’t worry what others think,” “follow your values,” “bring your whole self to work”) can create new problems
• Why authenticity is an attribution (how others experience you) and how EQ/strategic self-presentation builds trust and psychological safety
• The role of boundaries, self-control, and situational awareness in modern leadership
• How to avoid oversharing, process feedback like an adult, and use multi-source input (360s) to see your “reputation mosaic”
• Practical ways to “go against your nature” (learned behaviors > fixed traits) to become your future, better self

Episode Chapters (selected)

• 0:00 — Welcome + why authenticity needs nuance
• 1:15 — The origin of the book + when “being yourself” goes wrong
• 3:26 — From Aristotle to Amy Edmondson: how we got here
• 4:47 — Limits of “whole self at work” and the case for a professional self
• 6:38 — What research actually measures as “authenticity”
• 8:57 — Trust, safety, and why others decide if you’re authentic
• 12:32 — Authenticity as privilege; power, status, and role-flexing
• 14:40 — Self-complexity and expressing the relevant parts of you
• 15:26 — Oversharing, boundaries, and learning from regret
• 19:30 — The Four Traps in detail (honesty, caring what others think, values, whole self)
• 23:48 — Aim for the better future self, not a fixed past self
• 28:00 — Growth mindset vs. the painful reality of change
• 31:16 — Coaching works best on the people who “need it least”
• 32:51 — “Going against your nature” as a leadership skill
• 40:59 — Replace authenticity debates with integrity + trustworthy behavior
• 44:10 — Feedback that helps (and why most of it doesn’t)

Resources & Links

• Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic → https://drtomas.com
• Adaptive Futures → https://adaptivefutures.io

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Credits
Music: Ambient Background Music (Loop Version) via Adobe Stock
Edited by Cash Adamsen

In this episode Al Adamsen engages in a deep conversation with Frank Ricciardi, founder and CEO of Maavee, about the multifaceted nature of wellbeing in today's world. They explore the importance of physical, emotional, and psychological health, the role of employers in supporting employee wellbeing, and the significance of community in fostering connections. Frank shares insights on the differences between wellness and wellbeing, the impact of Ai on wellbeing solutions, and his personal journey that led him to create Maavee. The discussion emphasizes the need for prevention in health, the importance of individual agency in wellbeing, and the hopes for a more connected and understanding future.

Key Takeaways:

• Well-being encompasses physical, emotional, and psychological health.
• Employers play a crucial role in supporting employee wellbeing.
• Community connections are vital for individual wellbeing.
• Wellness is a journey, not a destination.
• Data privacy is essential in wellbeing solutions.
• AI can enhance personalized wellbeing experiences.
• Prevention is key to addressing societal health challenges.
• Individual agency is important in making wellbeing choices.
• The future of wellbeing involves understanding and acceptance.
• Maavee aims to create a supportive community for wellbeing.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Mavi and Well-Being
03:48 The Well-Being Market Landscape
06:39 Mavi's Value Proposition
13:58 Navigating Personal Well-Being with Mavi
21:22 The Range of Well-Being Solutions
28:22 Building Community Beyond the Workplace
32:49 Harnessing the Power of Intention for 2025
33:46 Building Community in a Digital Age
35:12 Data Privacy and User Trust
37:25 AI's Role in Personal Wellness
41:55 Wellness for All Generations
45:55 The Journey to Wellness: Frank's Story
55:14 Hopes for a Compassionate Future
57:11 Advice for Young People: Embrace Experiences

gomaavee.com

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