Authenticity is an Asset

In our digitally connected world, the idea of authenticity is much revered but I think we can all agree that it is rarely achieved.

Ill give you an example. You probably are reading this via LinkedIn. Scroll up and down your LinkedIn feed. Let me guess a quick recap of what you just saw. Several people are leaving jobs where they had the most amazing team ever (I’ll bet the word “rockstar” is in your feed). The culture of the company they are leaving is tremendous and one of a kind. Their former leaders are a cross between Einstein and Gandhi with a touch of Steve Jobs thrown in. The person leaving feels honored and flattered. Other are taking new jobs. Every one of them is their dream job. Several are going to work for “Unicorns”. The new team is the most amazing team ever (again “rockstar” should be present). The culture is unmatched. The new boss and recruiting process were filled with Einstein/Gandhi/Jobs level folks. The person joining is honored and flattered.

Interestingly, basic math says something is amiss here. 51% of all employees in the country are actively disengaged (meaning not just unhappy, but sharing their unhappiness). Does that mean no one can feel grateful for where they are coming from or going to? Heck no! I have no doubt many of the posts you read (that I guessed) are heart felt and honest beliefs. Hopefully, the majority of the posts fall in that bucket as that’s all we can hope for – being in a good environment and going to an even better one!

That being said, when you pair that with other social medial and life in general, there is clear pressure and preference that we are always presenting our lives as successful, joyous, amazing journeys.

I have a dirty little secret to tell you (that really isn’t a secret): for most of us, that’s not always the case. We have failures, we have frustrations, we get off course, our careers meander, we don’t always agree personally or professionally with a direction, our lives don’t go as planned every day. All of those are completely fine. As a matter of fact, if they aren’t happening to you once in a while, it raises different questions.

So why is this important? As a leader or a coworker or just a human, being authentic about who you are and where you’ve been/are going – being open about both the wonderful and not so wonderful – can be a powerful trait. While optimism is important (see my prior post), making sure that those around you see a balanced view of you is invaluable.

When people see your successes and joy, it absolutely can help to inspire them, encourage them, or just please them. Positives breed positives, over time. Conversely, when those same folks see your vulnerabilities (failure, frustration, insecurity, etc.) in a balanced way, it likely will help set them at ease with you, often help them be more patient with themselves, and will bring both of you together as they see the “real you” instead of the image that you’ve inferred or they have implied.

For me, I don’t have a ratio of good to bad or a tracker of how much good news vs. bad news I share. I just consistently try to be true to who I am, how I feel, and what I think the audience is ready to hear. That last part is key however: you can be authentic and still consider your audience. I don’t share every failure with every stranger, nor do I run around telling my friends about every success. At my core, I am fairly introverted, so when I choose to share either, it’s typically a moment of vulnerability and at a time that feels comfortable for me. That’s me being authentic to who I am…sharing when I am ready and I feel like the audience is too, not forcing it on either side.

So continue to live and share those highs of getting the perfect new role! But also, don’t be afraid to experience and share the lows with those around you. Authenticity is an asset that makes you a person not just a two dimensional character.