The Untold Secret to Mastering Authenticity.
There's something to be said about authenticity in business. It allows us to show up as ourselves, not the cardboard cutouts we think others want to do business with. The result? A much more enriching and personable work experience and an irresistible magnetism that attracts new business.
Authentic people and things are the real deal. And when it comes to business, this matters more than you may think. Take a look at the following techniques to build and maintain authenticity in business.
#1. Use storytelling
Authentic people and things have stories behind them. These stories back up claims and highlights how they got to where they are today. An authentic meal? Passed down from generation to generation. An authentic artifact? Found through an excavation in some part of the world. An authentic business? Started in the basement of a factory, built up through years of struggle, determination and grit. You need to be a storyteller. And not just any storyteller, you need to specialize in nonfiction. If you want authenticity in business, don't lather your customers up with a fake or embellished story. Be real. Your startup may not be the best story in the world. Maybe you really didn't have to go through much to start your business. But chances are, there's something authentic and relatable in there that people want to hear.
#2. Give up on perfection
Raise your hand if you've never made a mistake in your life. Anyone? We are all human, and therefore, our errors are divine. But seriously, your clients don't expect you to be perfect. They expect you to do the best you can, and when you mess up, to fix it. If you're a perfectionist, you're putting undue stress on yourself and setting expectations that no one but you has. I encourage you to let it go. Be okay with good enough. Everyone else is.
#3. Prioritize transparency
Sometimes, it's tempting to want to avoid issues altogether by not talking about them. But failing to give people the whole story can sometimes be a form of feeding them fake information. Don't mislead. Instead, be transparent with all the people you work with in business. Authentic businesses are open and honest with the public. And when you don't have anything to hide, you can be your true authentic self. To give authenticity in workplace a fighting chance, be transparent with your employees, customers, investors and so on. Be forthcoming when it comes to sharing information, advertising your prices and acknowledging slipups.
#4. Hire nice people
Never underestimate the power of being nice. Hiring genuinely nice people has been an invaluable cornerstone for many businesses. If you hire nice people, they are kind to your customers, who reward you with their loyalty, and that cycle sustains itself. It seems simple, but I'm surprised by how often this idea falls by the wayside. I know what you're thinking: Because you always hire the best and the brightest, right?
Probably not. You're strapped for time, you're growing at a rate you had never imagined and you settle for the guy who came in for his interview with his shirt inside out. You can do better. Hire an awesome HR team and empower your managers to help hire nice people. This will set the tone for your entire enterprise.
Final thoughts...
If you've been hiding behind that buttoned-up façade your entire career, you may find it challenging to suddenly shift your mindset to one that's more open and personable, so do it by degrees.
Being authentic in the workplace is just as important for your employees as it is for you. Whether it's interoffice or customer communication, inauthenticity can deplete your company's culture or reputation.
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