Evy Poumpouras: Authenticity at Work May Hurt Performance

NEW YORK, NY — Evy Poumpouras, a former Secret Service agent, recently shared her views on authenticity in the workplace during an interview on the podcast Diary of a CEO. She argues that being your true self at work can potentially harm professional dynamics and business outcomes.

“Don’t bring your authentic self to work. I want your professional self. I want your respectful self,” Poumpouras said. She emphasized that while it is important to be genuine in personal settings, work requires a different approach.

During her service as a Secret Service special agent, Poumpouras was responsible for the security of U.S. Presidents including Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Now, as a law enforcement analyst and bestselling author, she highlights that maintaining professional boundaries is crucial, especially in high-stakes situations.

In one instance, she reflected on an interrogation with a minor accused of a serious crime. “What would my authentic self say? ‘How could you?’ No, I brought my professional self,” she stated. Her focus was on obtaining a confession to protect the victim.

According to Poumpouras, prioritizing personal authenticity can detract from teamwork and hinder collective goals. “When you show up to work, ask yourself what value you bring to the team. Your authentic self could just be your problems,” she added.

Poumpouras is not alone in her opinion. Ryne Sherman, a psychologist at Hogan Assessment Systems, echoed her concerns, stating that being overly authentic at work can lead to unprofessionalism and interpersonal conflicts.

Although research by Cynthia S. Wang from Northwestern University found authenticity can benefit workplace relationships and employee well-being, she noted it can be more challenging for marginalized groups.

Poumpouras concluded that workplaces thrive when employees focus on being genuine about their commitment to the team’s mission, rather than their personal issues. “Leave your authentic self at home,” she advised. “Bring your genuine self who cares about the mission.”