11 Nov 2025

Feature interview: Why you shouldn't be yourself

From Afternoons, 3:10 pm on 11 November 2025

 “Just be yourself” is one of the worst pieces of advice out there says Psychologist Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic. Authenticity and some diversity programs that encourage people to ‘be themselves’ often lead to failure he says. Dr Chamorro-Premuzic explains that the most successful people aren’t intensely authentic, they’re experts at reading a room, adapting, and understanding where the right to be yourself ends and our obligation to others begins.  

His new book is called Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated.

Photo of Tomas Chamorro Premuzic

Photo: Tomas Chamorro Premuzic