#3 Embrace Openness
In your journey toward true authenticity, embrace openness
Dr. J
7/30/20252 min read


AUTHENTIC communication needs openness. But openness โ Doormat! Learning openness is part of being authentic.
Itโs counter-intuitive, yet the very quirks and passions that we might try to hide from others for fear of being judged can actually work to significantly deepen our connections with others.
By being open with others, sharing past failures and admitting that we donโt have all the answers, we invite empathy and trust into our relationships.
What can make this even more powerful is to merge our openness with pursuing our interests, whether itโs joining a lunchtime reading group, learning archery, or taking a cooking class.
Each time we step out of our comfort zone to try something new and be open to sharing our experiences with others, we are actively enriching our lives and embracing the fun that comes from following our curiosity. The benefit from this is that each time we openly discuss what interests us, it becomes easier to lower our guard in other areas.
๐๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐ก ๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐.
You could, for example, share an โIโm still learningโ moment, and seek some feedback during a team meeting. Or, you could choose to self-disclose even more, โI have to admit, Iโm feeling a bit overwhelmed by our current workload. Can we brainstorm how to lighten the load?โ
If youโre feeling this way, chances are someone else is, too. So your openness makes you relatable and fosters a collaborative atmosphere.
Here are some quick benefits of being open and exploring new interests:
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Reduces stress: Expressing concerns prevents negative emotional buildup.
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Boosts well-being: Authentic interactions can lead to happiness and great sense of fulfilment.
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Encourages reciprocity: Your openness could start a snowball effect, making others more willing to share.
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Enhances communication: The more open team members are, the less chance of misunderstandings.
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And a big one, being open and exploring new interests allows for personal growth toward the best version of YOU.
Embrace openness as a powerful tool to develop authenticity and to guide your professional and personal journey.
#Authenticity #Creativity #Leadership #CriticalThinking #Motivation #CommunicationSkills #Management #HR
Originally published: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dr-j-andrew-kuypers-9322b728_authenticity-creativity-leadership-activity-7353434903864045571-Gdkp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAW9R3YBEDCCdRRKSczeniSrEi0oc-DfGUc