Unlocking Authenticity: Creating cultures of trust and belonging

In Unlocking Authenticity, author, leadership coach and workplace culture expert Shivani Uberoi delivers a powerful and refreshingly honest exploration of what it really means to be yourself at work… and why so many of us struggle to do it.

From subtle workplace norms to deeply ingrained beliefs about who we need to be to succeed, Unlocking Authenticity unpacks the hidden cost of constantly ‘fitting in’ and what it takes to break free.

Through real-life stories, including experiences of navigating race and identity, challenging stigma around masculinity and fatherhood, redefining possibility after disability, and the hidden pressures of privilege, motherhood and neurodiversity, the book brings to life the complex realities behind how we show up at work and in life.

Full of insight, inspiration and practical wisdom, Unlocking Authenticity invites you to reflect on your own journey and gives you the tools to show up more fully as yourself, while creating a culture where others can do the same.

Inside the book:

• Relatable, real-life stories that reveal how and why we cover different parts of ourselves at work.

• Practical tools and reflective exercises to help you build self-awareness, challenge bias and strengthen psychological safety.

• Insightful frameworks to create cultures where people don’t have to fit in but can thrive as their best selves.

An essential read for leaders, managers and individuals who want to create environments where people can do their best work without pretending to be someone they’re not.

Shivani Uberoi knows a thing or two about not fitting in. Born in Britain, to an immigrant Indian family, she spent her childhood masking parts of her identity to fit in at school.
She then found herself in the corporate world, trying to progress a finance career in a male dominated environment. After years of trying to fit in, she realised that she was doing it all wrong. In 2012 she started the company’s charge for diversity and inclusion by pioneering the business case for change.
In 2017 Shivani set up two employee networks at Sky, women@sky and multiculture@sky, which connected thousands of people across the UK and empowered them to be themselves – and only then did she realize the true meaning of belonging.
She then left finance and pursued a career in inclusion, leading Sky’s gender equality program as Head of Women in Leadership, winning accolades such as ‘Top Employer for Inclusion’. She launched the organization’s first mental health programme, focusing on the emotional impact that exclusion and covering up has on individuals.
In 2022 she set up The Wallflower Academy, working with organizations to create workplaces where everyone can be themselves and thrive. She has since worked with dozens of organizations to create more inclusive cultures and support individuals with authenticity. Her signature programme ‘Succeed with authenticity’ has been delivered to multiple organizations.
She is a sought-after speaker, having spoken at organizations including Pepsico, Sky, Universal, and BMW, and has given a TEDx talk, ‘Why fitting in will screw you up’. She has featured on Sky Sports news, BBC radio and other media outlets speaking about inclusion.