What is authenticity? It’s being real, genuine, legitimate and truthful. Authenticity gives us a warm and fuzzy feeling of comfort, trust, credibility.
I think Leland R. Beaumont offers a complete, understandable description of the ‘authentic self’: “The true you; aligned and congruent self image, stature, values, beliefs, goals, behavior, word, and public image.”
Why do we value the principle of authenticity? Authenticity builds an emotional connection between people as well as things like businesses, brands and almost everything.
Where does authenticity come from? 1. Authenticity comes from a place we can connect with," a place with a real story of a purpose-driven life, that touches us and that we always remember.”
Captain Chelsey Sullenberger (Sully), the pilot of the US Airways Flight 1549 that crashed into the Hudson River without any major injuries or fatalities is an excellent example of authenticity story.
2. Authenticity emerges from "people with a deep passion for what they are doing.” Ellie and Charlie are examples of this. Their passion and energy comes from deep down in their souls.
3. Authenticity is a person or thing that is what it says it is. The story the person tells through their actions aligns with the story they tell through their words, their body language and all other nonverbal communication. The recent Miss USA Pageant runner-up, Miss California, Carrie Prejean, exhibited authenticity with her genuine response to a pageant question. Her response kept her beliefs and convictions aligned with the words she spoke. She demonstrated genuine truthfulness and credibility.
The examples above are some outstanding ones, the unusual ones, to illustrate and clarify a point. All of us can be and can manifest authenticity of our real self the way we naturally are. Each of us is unique in our own way and authentic in that way. Let’s look at what we have to do to become authentic.
How can we become more authentic? 1. Believe in everything you say and do.
2. Always speak the truth and act in accordance with your moral compass at all times to all people: to your friends, your colleagues, to the public and to your customers. No hyped "pitching." No hyped "selling." No little white lies. No fear of what others will think of you, your brand or your company. No acting in a way that you think others will like you more.
Just complete and total honesty showing your genuine, unique, and passionate self. Nothing more. That’s the most powerful selling you can do.
3. We make the decision to be authentic or not. Authenticity is required but it cannot be compelled onto us. No one can be genuine and real when forced into it.
For more in-depth discussion and clarification, refer to “
Authentic Self”.
Personal and Business Success Mindset Requires that we be Authentic That is a fact. We have no choice if we want success. It is up to us to make that decision to believe, to be and to act in truth, with authenticity.
Barbara Filla
Passionate about people, entrepreneurs and business
Passion Branding Community Coach www.BraveHeartWomen.com/BarbaraFilla
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