Have you ever felt like you had to act a certain way to get ahead at work? Co-Founder and Client Lead Renée Wills knows that pressure well—and in her latest LinkedIn article, she reflects on what it really cost her. 

The Pressure to Pretend

Early in her career, Renée believed that results weren’t enough. To be  

seen as successful, she thought she had to copy the style of people ahead of her. Some managers even reinforced that idea, encouraging her to be more aggressive or to keep her professional and personal selves separate. 

The result? She began questioning not just how others saw her, but how she saw herself. 

What You Lose When You Play the Part

On the outside, it looked like Renée was winning. But on the inside, pretending came at a cost: 

• Joy: achievements felt hollow when they didn’t align with her values 

• Connection: genuine relationships were harder to build 

• Confidence: pretending made her second-guess her own style 

• Energy: trying to act like someone else was draining 

Choosing Authenticity Instead

Over time, Renée realized she didn’t need two different identities. She could be one person, striving to bring her best self forward at home and at work. 

Authenticity, she explains, isn’t about “letting it all hang out.” It’s about showing integrity, consistency, and care—qualities that make success sustainable. 

When she stopped playing the part, opportunities that aligned with her strengths appeared, relationships deepened, and success started to feel like her own. 

Renée closes her article with a powerful reminder: your best self doesn’t come from imitation. It comes from authenticity—and that’s where joy, confidence, and true success begin. 

👉 Read Renée’s full article on LinkedIn here.