Writing on LinkedIn, former Wharton Dean Geoffrey Garrett observed:
Being authentic is the best way to lead, but it’s no excuse for not thinking before you act.
In a sentence, Dean Garrett captured what often bothers me about offering advice to “be authentic.” Some people delight in saying whatever pops into their head, even if it hurts others, or is socially—or ethically—inappropriate. Other people act like a bull in a china shop, racing from one whim to another without any concern for the damage they do.
Do we really want a person like that to be his or her authentic self?
Authenticity isn’t a high-enough bar. You also need to combine it with a moral compass and an understanding of how human relationships work. You need to care about more than just what you want.