Authenticity: What It Is and Why It Matters

"Just be your authentic self" is something we have all encountered at some point in our personal and professional lives. Many of us have spent countless moments contemplating what that means, however, and how it translates to tactful professionalism and healthy personal relationships. I mean, what if your authentic self is a wild hedonistic animal? Just an extreme example, but a valid concern.

Also, what does authenticity even really mean? I started contemplating this more recently as I read a LinkedIn post from a leadership professional regarding the importance of authenticity in leadership and in the board room. In the following paragraphs are some of my thoughts on this topic and how I would attempt to answer that question. Note: I agree with his sentiment 100%.

First off, I feel being your authentic self involves showing up as who you really are. I'd say the number one thing with authenticity is honesty; you are who you say you are. Your true character is reflected in how you present. No masks, pretense or hidden agendas. People get what they expect with you and trust that you will say what you mean, even if buried in necessary niceties and formalities. Note that latter addition; being honest and real doesn't mean you forgo all adherence to standard social protocols. There is a balance to be had if you truly want to be an effective communicator that speaks honestly, but with dignity and tact. The main thing is you would never intentionally mislead, deceive, or operate under pretext to maintain a false image. This may be especially important in leaders, however, I would posit that it is essential for all healthily-minded human beings.

Why the emphasis on healthily-minded? Well, because it is my opinion that it is, essentially, a mental illness to try to be what you are not, or convince others you have attributes you don't, or to otherwise present oneself in-authentically. It leads to repression and psychological problems, and in extreme cases, may even present in physical maladies. We've all known a habitual liar. Did they seem happy? Comfortable? No, they were always riddled with anxiety. It takes a lot of work to maintain a lie, whereas being your authentic self comes naturally with no effort. Living in-authentically is extremely stressful, and stress is one of the world's biggest killers.

This is an especially rampant problem in today's society as social media, the internet, and increasingly competitive job markets squeeze people into desperation and in-authentic modalities in an attempt to survive and/or fit in (both closely interwoven concepts if you think about it). It's a huge shame, but understandable. People may find that they initially don't succeed being true to their own hearts and vision, so they learn not to trust it and create an effective persona (or personas!) to navigate their life. They may have grown up in manipulative environments where it seemed effective to present in-authentically. They may have been raised with too much pressure to even discover their own truth and authenticity.

Which brings me back to another key aspect of authenticity - vulnerability, openness, and a willingness for growth. We've all made mistakes and we've all faced challenges, some of which may have gotten the better of us. The key is to learn from our mistakes, take feedback, seek learning and, ultimately, grow into more authentic versions of our true selves. Those who are authentic tend also to be humble, for it is hard to act like you're superior when you are honest about your own journey. Authentic people are open to feedback and happily own and acknowledge their mistakes, with the mentality of seeing them as learning opportunities. Hence, if you are truly authentic you are always learning, and therefore unlikely to stay trapped in a lower version of your authentic self (say, the wild hedonist). Growth and self-improvement go hand-in-hand with authenticity, a principle that, once realized, can have profound positive impacts on an individuals life.

Ultimately, authenticity is important, especially in a world where abundant AI makes real humanity and meaningful interpersonal connection an even more precious commodity. Showing up in a meaningful and authentic way in our relationships, whether personal or professional, is more crucial than ever to ensure a continued future for real humans with real human vision. As such, a big part of our vision and mission here at B+C Intuitive Services is to help inspire and align the business world, and those in it, to operate more authentically. And, of course, we start here at home; our services come with a guarantee of maximum transparency, authenticity, and real human input. No gimmicks, AI tricks, or misleading offerings; just real, honest service from real, honest people. Give us a try today, or check out some fabulous art!

Thank you for your support!

Brendan Leishman

Consultant and Owner

B+C Intuitive Services