In corporate environments, employees face a subtle but pervasive pressure to conform—to fit in, play it safe, and follow predefined paths. This pressure often compels individuals to silence their unique perspectives and to hide parts of themselves, prioritizing stability over authenticity. Though this approach can seem practical in maintaining job security, the long-term costs—disengagement, burnout, and a lack of fulfillment—take a toll on career satisfaction and company culture alike. Leaders, too, experience these pressures acutely; the higher they climb, the greater the expectation to embody control, authority, and perfection.
Reena Merchant, a leader in the tech industry with over 20 years of experience, is no stranger to these dynamics. With a career spanning Google, YouTube, Sony PlayStation, Citrix, and BlackBerry, Reena has earned her place as an authority in User Experience (UX) and effective team leadership. She understands, firsthand, the stakes involved in challenging traditional norms, knowing that pushing against the status quo can feel like risking one’s professional stability. “It’s no small thing,” she shares, “to challenge the expectations placed on you, especially when there’s a risk of jeopardizing the security of your role.”
Breaking Away from Conformity
Reena’s journey to authentic self-expression was far from straightforward. As a Canadian of Indian heritage, she quickly learned that concealing aspects of herself made fitting in easier. This tension between authenticity and conformity later reappeared in her career, where traditional leadership models encouraged her to downplay her softer, more intuitive qualities in favor of projecting strength and authority.
“At a certain point, I realized I had to make a choice,” Reena recalls. “I could keep playing it safe, denying myself the right to truly express who I was and lead as myself, or I could take the risk of trusting my instincts and sharing my unique perspective.”
Embracing Authentic Leadership
This was no easy decision. Reena was acutely aware of the power dynamics that can make expressing individuality feel risky, especially within corporate hierarchies where leaders may hold significant influence over employees’ career progression. But after years of feeling disconnected from her leadership approach, she reached a turning point. She chose to embrace her strengths in empathy, intuition, and connection, realizing that these qualities weren’t hindrances—they were powerful assets that could transform the way she led and how her team responded.
Once Reena started leading in alignment with her authentic self, the positive impacts on her team and workplace culture were undeniable. Her team became more engaged, motivated, and open, feeling a newfound permission to bring their full selves to work. “When I chose to lead authentically, I saw an immediate shift in my team’s dynamics,” she shares. “People felt safe, and in that safety, they became more innovative, committed, and resilient.” For Reena, this experience confirmed that authenticity isn’t a weakness in leadership—it’s a strength that fosters deeper connection, loyalty, and creativity.
Lessons in Authenticity
Reena’s journey highlights essential lessons for those feeling the weight of conformity in their professional lives:
Recognize the Cost of Conformity
Reena’s experience reminds us that hiding parts of ourselves, even if it seems safer, can lead to long-term dissatisfaction and burnout. The constant effort to maintain a facade is exhausting and unfulfilling.
Invest in Self-Discovery
Reena encourages others to spend time in self-reflection, identifying their strengths and values. This self-investigation forms the foundation of her Leadership From Within framework, which emphasizes the power of self-knowledge in building authenticity. “Authenticity begins with knowing who you are,” she says. This process helps leaders and employees alike to determine what truly drives them, ensuring that they approach their work from a place of clarity and purpose.
Build the Courage to Be Real
Embracing authenticity is challenging, especially in environments where conformity is the norm. Reena emphasizes the importance of cultivating self-trust and confidence in one’s unique strengths. “I had to remind myself that my intuitive, people-focused leadership style wasn’t a weakness; it was my strength,” she explains.
Redefine Success Through Authentic Connection
By choosing to lead through transparency and empathy, Reena transformed her team’s morale and engagement. For her, authenticity wasn’t just about individual satisfaction—it was a way to cultivate a work environment where everyone could bring their full selves to the table, ultimately boosting productivity and team cohesion.
Create Psychological Safety
Reena’s leadership shows that when leaders embrace their authentic selves, they create a culture where others feel free to do the same. “When leaders model vulnerability and authenticity, it builds trust and deepens loyalty,” she shares. This approach fosters an environment where employees feel safe to take risks and share their unique perspectives, enhancing the overall success of the team and company.
Reena’s Vision for Corporate Leadership
Reena’s story serves as a powerful example of the courage it takes to embrace authenticity in a world that often values conformity. She reminds us that success and fulfillment come from trusting our unique strengths and bringing them into our work. By doing so, we not only uplift ourselves but also inspire those around us to contribute their best. As Reena puts it, “When we show up as our true selves, we open the door for others to do the same—and that’s where real change happens.”
