Authenticity: overused but never overdone
Authenticity is overused: the word, that is. But the experience is priceless when you encounter it.
When you are so connected to your purpose that your language, your actions, your very being is aligned it radiates from within. Because you’re being you, it’s easy to be comfortable and spontaneous. There’s no need to be on guard or plan your words… And let’s face it: that sounds like hard work!
My grandfather used to quip: “If you can fake sincerity, you’ve got it made”. Copying someone else’s idea, cause or business model without resonance is a veneer and because of that, it comes off as gimmicky. Without substance, personal connection or experience behind it it’s not authentic. And that’s not good if you’re playing the long game.
Sometimes this incongruence is hard to pin down, and we don’t know why we don’t trust the message but something about it just doesn’t ring true. There’s a disconnect in what is being said and the behaviour. Our mistrust comes from the nonverbal cues we pick up at a subconscious level.
Perhaps we’re more conscious than ever before that it makes great business sense to be seen to “give back”, and have a purpose beyond the almighty dollar. Customers, love to be connected to a cause or to a business with a soul. But unless you really mean it, it could be the worst thing you could do for your brand and your personal brand. It’s a hard road back when your reputation is one where you are inherently dodgy.
With over 23 million people in this country alone there are 23 million possible unique why’s. Don’t copy. Don’t borrow. Get real. Start today by thinking about your mission: when you’re clear on your mission and vision, it will permeate every aspect of your being: your language, your actions, your time, your relationships, your mindset, your bank account.
Be true to yourself. The rest will follow.