How to be more genuine at work without the burnout

Key takeaways

• Authenticity isn't about oversharing; it is about consistency between your natural traits and your professional behaviour.
• Understanding your specific work personality helps you identify where you are naturally genuine and where you might be performing.
• A genuine approach to collaboration reduces workplace stress and prevents long-term burnout.
• Setting boundaries is a core part of being genuine, as it protects your energy and integrity.

The exhaustion of the workplace performance

Have you ever sat in a meeting, nodding along to a strategy you didn't believe in, while feeling a slow-growing knot in your stomach? Or perhaps you’ve been told you need to be 'more assertive' or 'more bubbly', even though your natural strength lies in quiet, methodical analysis. We have all been there – the moment where we stop being ourselves and start playing a character we think our boss wants to see.

The problem is that this performance has a high cost. When you aren't being genuine, you are constantly 'masking'. You are using mental energy to filter your thoughts, adjust your tone, and suppress your instincts. By the time Friday rolls around, you aren't just tired from the work; you are exhausted from the act. It hits like a tonne of bricks when you realise you've spent forty hours being someone else.

At Compono, we have spent a decade researching how people actually function in teams. We know that the 'ideal employee' isn't a single mould. A genuine team is one where people are allowed to lean into their natural strengths rather than trying to fix their supposed flaws. Being genuine isn't a soft skill – it is a survival strategy for the modern workplace.

Why we struggle to be genuine

Most of us want to be honest and direct, but the fear of being misunderstood holds us back. You might worry that if you show your true self – perhaps as The Auditor who needs every detail before making a move – you will be seen as a bottleneck. Or maybe you're The Helper who fears that being genuine about your workload will make you look like you aren't a team player.

This fear often stems from a workplace culture that prizes a very specific, often loud, type of 'success'. We are taught to prioritise 'hustle' over harmony or 'disruption' over diligence. When these expectations clash with who you actually are, you start to feel like you're broken. But you aren't broken. You're just trying to operate in a system that hasn't taken the time to understand your unique brain.

The first step to being genuine is recognising these internalised pressures. It's about realising that your work personality isn't something to be 'optimised' out of existence. It is the foundation of your value. When you stop trying to be the person you think you should be, you finally have the energy to be the person you actually are.

The difference between genuine and 'unfiltered'

A common misconception is that being genuine means saying whatever comes to mind. That isn't authenticity; that’s just a lack of professional boundaries. Being genuine is about integrity. It is about ensuring that the 'you' who shows up to the Zoom call is the same 'you' who makes decisions based on your core values.

For example, The Evaluator is naturally genuine when they are providing objective, logical critiques. They aren't being 'mean'; they are being true to their analytical nature. Conversely, The Pioneer is at their most genuine when they are pushing boundaries and suggesting radical changes. If a Pioneer is forced to sit in silence and follow a rigid, ten-year-old process, their genuine spark dies.

This is where Hey Compono comes in. Our platform doesn't try to change you. Instead, it uses AI-driven coaching to help you understand your natural style so you can communicate it clearly to others. When you can say, 'I'm focusing on the risks here because that's how I add value,' you are being genuine without being defensive.

How to start being more genuine today

If you've been masking for years, you can't just flip a switch. It takes practice to unlearn the habits of people-pleasing. Start small. The next time someone asks for your opinion, pause. Don't give the 'safe' answer. Give the answer that aligns with your perspective, even if you have to frame it gently.

You also need to find your 'genuine' tribe. These are the people who value you for your actual contributions. If you are The Campaigner, you need people who appreciate your energy rather than telling you to 'calm down'. If you are The Coordinator, you need a team that respects your need for structure.

At Compono, we believe that high-performing teams are built on this kind of radical honesty. When everyone understands the work personalities in the room, the need for the 'performance' vanishes. You can stop guessing what people want and start delivering what only you can provide. It's about moving from a culture of 'fitting in' to a culture of 'belonging'.

Key insights

• Genuine work behaviour is the alignment of your natural strengths with your daily tasks, reducing the cognitive load of workplace masking.
• Authenticity is not a 'one-size-fits-all' trait; it looks different for an Auditor than it does for a Pioneer.
• A genuine approach to workplace communication involves being honest about your needs and boundaries to prevent burnout.
• Leveraging tools like Hey Compono allows you to identify your dominant work personality and use it as a guide for more authentic professional interactions.

Where to from here?

Ready to stop the performance and start being genuine? It begins with self-awareness. You cannot be true to yourself if you don't actually know who that is in a professional context.

• Get started: Start with 10 minutes free – no credit card required
• See how it works: Learn about personality-adaptive coaching

Frequently asked questions

Is being genuine at work risky for my career?
While it can feel vulnerable, being genuine actually builds more trust and long-term credibility than playing a role. When people know what to expect from you, you become a reliable and valued team member.

What if my genuine self doesn't fit my current role?
This is a common realisation. If your job requires you to constantly act against your natural work personality, it might be time to look for a role that values your specific strengths, like moving from a rigid Auditor-style role to a more creative Pioneer-style environment.

How can I tell if I'm being genuine or just being unprofessional?
Genuine behaviour is rooted in your values and strengths to help the team succeed. Unprofessional behaviour usually involves a lack of respect for others' boundaries or the team's goals. Authenticity serves the work; unprofessionalism serves the ego.

Can I be genuine and still be a good leader?
Absolutely. The best leaders are those who are honest about their style. Whether you are a Directive leader who prizes logic or a Democratic leader who prizes harmony, being genuine about your approach helps your team align with you.

How does Hey Compono help me be more genuine?
Hey Compono provides a personality-adaptive coaching experience. By identifying your specific work personality type, the app gives you tailored advice on how to communicate, handle conflict, and lead in a way that feels natural to you.