Transparency vs. Authenticity: Understanding the Difference

GLG Insights | Veronica Grigoletto | April 1, 2025

Bianca Maxwell and Sabrina K. Garba at the SXSW 2025.

On March 9, our CEO, Sabrina K. Garba took the stage at SXSW alongside Disney’s Bianca Maxwell to explore the Future of Work, diving into Transparency and Authenticity: How to Unmask in the Workplace. They tackled modern workplace challenges, from remote work to social expectations, and explored how to show up as your true self while maintaining professionalism and boundaries.

They shared their perspectives on transparency, authenticity, and how to find a balance that feels safe, sustainable, and true to you. This session provided practical tools to navigate workplace dynamics, build a personal brand, and gain confidence in being yourself at work.

But what exactly do we mean by transparency and authenticity?

Transparency and authenticity are often confused, but knowing the difference is key to making smart decisions in professional settings.

The Role of Transparency in the Workplace

Transparency is about openness and clarity, but that doesn’t mean saying everything, all the time. It’s about sharing the right information at the right time so that people understand decisions and feel included in the process.

But too much transparency can backfire. Sharing every thought, every challenge or every detail can create confusion, erode confidence, or even breach confidentiality. Strong leaders know when to be open and when to hold back—clarity without oversharing is the goal.

Authenticity: Being Real Without Overexposing Yourself

Authenticity is about consistency between your values, words, and actions. It’s what makes people trust you and believe in your leadership. It doesn’t mean sharing every detail of your personal life or every emotion at work—it means being genuine and intentional in how you present yourself.

Being authentic also requires emotional intelligence. If you’re always completely unfiltered, you risk being perceived as unprofessional. The key is knowing how to be real while adapting to different situations. Your work self and your personal self can coexist without being identical.

Mastering the Balance: When to Speak, When to Hold Back

Sabrina K. Garba at the SXSW 2025.

Sabrina’s SXSW session emphasized strategic transparency and mindful authenticity—knowing what to share, when to share it, and how to ensure that what you communicate builds trust rather than breaks it.

Here are some takeaways from the session:

• Transparency without authenticity feels empty. Just sharing facts isn’t enough if your words and actions don’t align with your values.

• Authenticity without transparency can seem closed off. If people never get insight into your decision-making, they may feel disconnected from you as a leader.

• Effective communication is about timing and tone. You don’t have to reveal everything, but you do need to make people feel included and respected.

Trusting Your Instincts in the Workplace

Finding the balance between transparency and authenticity is a skill that takes time to develop. Pay attention to how your words land with others—if people seem overwhelmed or disengaged, you may need to adjust your approach. Test, refine, and trust your instincts.

Navigating workplace dynamics requires balance—knowing when to open up, when to listen, and how to communicate in a way that fosters trust and confidence.

What does transparency and authenticity look like in your workplace? Keep the conversation going and share your thoughts.