Being Ignored at Work? Here’s Why and What to Do Instead

So, you’re wondering:Why is it so hard to get (and keep) people’s attention at work?

The answer is: be an authentic leader.

But here’s why that’s gotten you a one-way ticket to Nowheresville in the past.

Too often we can talk about characteristics of an authentic leader all day long. Forbes lists. LinkedIn thought pieces. Words like “empathetic,” “servant leader,” “visionary,” and bleh.

But guess what?Characteristics don’t take action.

And without action, how on earth are we supposed to spot (or become) an authentic leader in the real world?

Stop Talking, Start Doing

Let’s cut through the buzzwords. Authenticity in the workplace is about doing what’s needed, not what’s normal. Authentic leaders don’t just check boxes or recite scripts.

They get to the heart of what their people need: 👉 To be woken up. 👉 To be inspired. 👉 To feel connected.

Because let’s be real: nobody’s ever been moved by a bullet-pointed PowerPoint.

Why Authentic Leadership Wakes People Up

Think about the last all-hands meeting you attended. Same intro slide, same agenda, same polite applause.<yawn>

Now think about what you actually wanted to know:

• What’s really on our leaders’ minds?

• What’s the real talk about where we’re at?

Authentic leaders get that. They read the room, break the script, and ask:

“What’s needed right now?”

They embrace their authentic self at work by challenging the snoozy status quo. That’s what builds trust. That’s what inspires. That’s what makes people tune-in.

Authenticity Is Action: The HUMANS Framework

Forget the fluffy adjectives. Authentic leadership is doing, not just being.

Here’s the actionable framework I teach to leaders who want to stop sleepwalking and start standing out:

HUMANS:

• Humility: Tell the messy stories.

• Unexpected: Buck the norm.

• Model: Lead by example.

• Adapt: Be sure to plug your authenticity into others..

• Narrate: Use storytelling to make your point stick.

• Spark: Inspire others to be authentic too.

For example:Kick off your next meeting with a story about the time you screwed up royally. Watch the room wake up—and watch trust skyrocket.

The Bottom Line: Authenticity Ignites Others

So the next time someone is multitasking or tuning out to your IMPORTANT email, remember that it’s not because they’re a bad human; it’s because they’re a bored human.

Because at the end of the day, people respect authority, but they follow authenticity.

And as soon as you start changing things up and doing what’s needed, not what’s normal, others will follow along. 

They’ll realize that they too have been going through the motions, simultaneously putting others on auto-pilot (or to sleep).

So go forth and use your authenticity to shake things up and make things fun.

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Erin Hatzikostas is an internationally recognized leader on the impact of authenticity in the workplace. Learn more about her keynote speaking, workshops, and other authentic programs here.