On my first day of my internship at Keith Bishop PR, I was, naturally, a little nervous. Will these people like me? Will I fit in? How can I make a great first impression? That morning, the advice from my friends and girlfriend was simple: “just be yourself.”
Ironically, after my first week, my biggest takeaway is that in today’s world of buzzwords, corporate jargon, and AI-generated everything, authenticity is paramount. “Just be yourself” has become the go-to mantra for anyone with a platform. But when reputations are on the line, is it really that simple?
The truth is, being yourself in public doesn’t always align with being strategic. Audiences today are tired of overly polished messaging. They crave content that feels raw, real, and human, be it from politicians and CEOs to influencers and startups. That demand has made authenticity not just likeable, but a must-have.
However, there are limits to being yourself. It wouldn’t have been appropriate for me to overshare personal details on my first day. I won’t get a second chance to make that first impression. And when you’re representing a business, a brand, or even your livelihood, unfiltered honesty can do more harm than good. What feels like openness can quickly slip into oversharing, misalignment, or, as I’ve learned, a PR crisis.
The key is authenticity with intention. Being authentic doesn’t mean saying whatever comes to mind; it means showing up in a way that feels real and supports your goals. That might include vulnerability, but only with clear boundaries, strong values, and thoughtful messaging behind it. That’s how you stay real while still being strategic.
I’ve learnt that the most powerful “authentic” moments in PR are never accidental. They’re well-considered, carefully timed, and rooted in the truth. The goal is to be relatable without losing credibility. To be human, but also intentional. Because good authenticity in PR isn’t about being unfiltered, it’s about being believable.
If my first week has taught me anything, it’s this: great PR doesn’t just reflect who someone is. It reflects who they are at their best. And that’s something worth striving for, especially if all eyes are on you.