Sometimes we feel like we need to put up a façade, especially in front of our leaders. Showing up as your authentic self is so important though and the benefits are immense.

In this episode, Hannah Kook, a Senior Communications Manager at AWS, shares her story and tips on what it is to be your authentic self at work.

• If you muster up the confidence to step into the ring, people will see that you have unique super powers and traits that your competition doesn't.
• If you hold yourself back you're not giving people the opportunity to see why you're at the table.
• There's more that you can offer if you double-down on your super powers.
• It doesn't matter what meeting you're in, there's nothing wrong with being your authentic self. Having the confidence to embrace it and do it is key.
• Focusing on your superpowers helps you take focus away from what you feel are your shortcomings.
• Being your authentic self earns trust!
• When you show up authentically it has a ripple effect and allows others to do the same.

Hannah's Actionable Tips to being your authentic self:

• First, look inward. You need to know the strengths that make you uniquely you.
• Second, ask others that you trust to validate what your strengths are.
• Third, show up and speak up! You've got this! You're the expert at your strengths, you can do it, don't back down, be yourself.
• Four, be ready for discomfort. It's not going to feel amazing the first time and that's FINE. Just keep doing the work and you'll get stronger and better at it.
• Five, YOUV'E GOT THIS (again!).

References:

• The Memo - https://www.mindaharts.com/thememo

Where you can find Hannah:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahkook/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kookiezh