While some may see “authenticity” as just another fleeting business buzzword, Google’s People Operations research shows its teams that connect on a deeper, more emotional level than water cooler talk - caring about each other, listening to each other - perform at phenomenally higher rates, as pointed out in The New York Times Magazine online article, What Google Learned from Its Quest to Build the Perfect Team, in February 2016.

How can you be more authentic in the workplace and create a more authentic work environment? Here are three quick, easy tips:

1. Listen Well: Create a safe and respectful space where listening is just as valued as speaking.

Tip: Before the start of every meeting, invite each team member to share anything on their mind that’s pre-occupying or distracting them. It helps both to clear the air and provides a better of understanding of each person’s perspective.

2. Know Your Values: Identify your personal core values as an individual, shared values as a team and a set of value behaviors as a company, and live them every day.

Tip: Add a “values” column to your to-do list to help you prioritize and filter how you spend your time. If something doesn’t map to a value, then re-evaluate if it’s worth your time.

3. Communicate Authentically: Be clear, purposeful, direct, timely and truthful when you communicate with others, navigate conflict and provide feedback.

Tip: Check your motives before delivering on-the-fly feedback, and ask yourself if your goal is to build up or tear down. Honesty with yourself must come first if you expect honest communication from others.