ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates how the suppression of these hairstyle choices also suppresses authenticity and therefore damages black women's ability to be fully effective in the workplace. It discusses the importance of authenticity and address how appearance norms may contribute to inauthenticity and then considers its costs. After establishing this backdrop, the author uses a Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS) lens to explore how encouraging employees express their authentic identities. To be considered professional, many black women must suppress their authenticity or live in fear of negative ramifications. Rather than merely trying to avoid these negative consequences, it is more helpful to consider the benefits of encouraging authenticity in the workplace a perspective available through the POS lens. In essence, the benefits of authenticity are not limited to those who are traditionally identified as minorities. Finally, encouraging authenticity in the workplace could contribute to an organizational culture in which self-expression is valued and encouraged.
