Have you ever been told to "fake it till you make it"? It's common advice, especially in tech, where we're constantly pushing our boundaries. But here's the thing – faking it feels awful. It's stilted, uncomfortable, and people can usually see right through it. So what's the alternative?
The Dilemma of Personal Change
Behavior change is one of the most challenging things people can undertake. Suppose you've received feedback that you should have more executive presence, or that you come off as immature, or that you need to "speak up" during meetings. Maybe you're naturally introverted, so you interpret this feedback as "be someone else."
And it feels super fake.
You're now confronted with a dilemma: Do you stay true to yourself, or do you abandon your genuine self? If you stay true to yourself, you're not going to progress. If you choose to "fake it un…
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