Don't Be Yourself

Why Authenticity Is Overrated (and What to Do Instead)

Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

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Hardback

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English

Harvard Business Review Press
07 October 2025

Social, group or collective psychology; Management: leadership & motivation; Working patterns & practices; Advice on careers & achieving success

The surprising science of why being authentic holds you back

from the author of Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (and How to Fix It).

'Just be yourself' might be the worst advice you've ever received.

For years, we've been told that authenticity is the key to success

that we should be true to ourselves, tune out others' opinions, and lead with unwavering genuineness. This feel-good message has spawned countless self-help books, leadership seminars, and viral social media posts.

There's just one problem: science says it's wrong.

Drawing on decades of research, renowned psychologist Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic reveals an uncomfortable truth: our obsession with authenticity is backfiring. From Silicon Valley's authenticity worship to failed diversity programs, he exposes how our fixation on 'true selves' undermines both individual and organisational success, not to mention empathy and prosocial behaviour.

The most successful people aren't those who rigidly 'stay true to themselves'

they're the ones who adapt and evolve, largely by paying a great deal of attention to how others see them and adjusting their behaviour to the requirements of each situation. The evidence is clear: when we focus less on expressing our authentic selves and more on understanding others, we don't just advance our careers

we become better humans:

Our moral compass strengthens. Our emotional intelligence deepens. Our leadership abilities soar. Our relationships flourish. Our personal growth accelerates.

Blending cutting-edge psychology with razor-sharp cultural critique, Don't Be Yourself doesn't just challenge conventional wisdom

it offers a playbook for long-lasting career success.

By: Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic
Imprint: Harvard Business Review Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 155mm,
ISBN: 9781647829834
ISBN 10: 1647829836
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 07 October 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic is the Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, a professor of business psychology at University College London and at Columbia University, a cofounder of Deeper Signals, and an associate at Harvard's Entrepreneurial Finance Lab. He is the author of Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (and How to Fix It), upon which his TEDx Talk was based, and I, Human: AI, Automation, and the Quest to Reclaim What Makes Us Unique.

Reviews for Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated (and What to Do Instead)

Advance Praise for Don't Be Yourself: ""With his unique blend of insight and irreverence, Tomas illuminates why we should not chase the illusive and ultimately problematic notion of authenticity but rather cultivate respect, openness, compromise, and commitment to something greater than ourselves. I wish I had written this book!"" — Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management, Harvard Business School ""A wonderfully refreshing read that cuts through the slogans and fads to get to the science and substance."" — Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia ""If you're tired of cookie-cutter life hacks or leadership advice and ready for something that works in the real world, this entertaining, witty, and authoritative book deserves a prime spot on your desk."" — Ilya Bonic, President, Global Career and Head of Strategy, Mercer ""Few books truly challenge the mantras we live by—and this book is one of them. Don't Be Yourself reveals the hidden costs of blind authenticity worship and offers a smarter, more socially attuned approach to navigating identity. An eye-opening read."" — Sandra Matz, author, Mindmasters: The Data-Driven Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior ""With his signature mix of data and wit, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic exposes the popular perversion of the lifelong quest to be ourselves and instead proposes changing, performing, and staying close and open to others."" — Gianpiero Petriglieri, Professor of Organizational Behavior, INSEAD ""This book dismantles the authenticity myth through compelling research and insightful analysis. An enlightening read for those ready to evolve."" — Stefan Salzer, Global Head of Human Resources, Red Bull