Leaders and Authenticity Penalty
Leaders can face an "authenticity penalty" if they react too quickly to feedback, according to a study published in the Academy of Management Journal.
When leaders shift their behavior too soon, employees may see it as "too good to be true". Employees want to see gradual, natural change that occurs due to their thoughts being heard and processed.
For leaders, sometimes it’s not enough to just change. We have to consider how it might also be perceived, and people believe that true change takes time
said Danbee Chon, an assistant professor of management at the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business.
Author's summary: Leaders should implement gradual changes to maintain authenticity.