Authenticity

Why Authenticity in Project Management is important

Authenticity may seem as a trivial topic in Project Management since it doesn’t directly have anything to do with the four perspectives, Purpose, People, Complexity, Uncertainty. And yet, all four perspectives will benefit greatly with an authentic project manager with high ethical standards and openness towards others. Authentic PM’s will inspire their team members to perform better with more satisfaction and improve the overall organization. Authenticity is, however, not limited to Project Management. One can not learn to just be an authentic project manager, you must start by being an authentic person in everything you do. Being an authentic person comes first and then the benefits of authenticity will shine through all aspects of your life from project management to fatherhood. This article is not meant as a 3 step tutorial to being authentic, because you cannot become authentic by intellectual understanding only. You have to face yourself and who you think you are and challenge that through introspection. That said, the article will help a true understanding of the topic in regards to project management both theoretically, empirically and point to practical ways of getting more authentic as a person and as a project manager.