Why Being Authentic Is Important
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last updated: 26 May 2009
Malcolm Levene is a Personal Development Business Coach working with both corporate and private clients. He teaches people how they can significantly improve their business skills by personally developing themselves. Private clients have included Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell and Michael Gove MP. Corporate clients include The Bank of New York Mellon, Prudential, Tesco, Newton Investment Management, M&G Investments and Volvo.
One of the dictionary’s definitions of the word authenticity is “undisputed credibility”. I’m going to use this definition as a foundation for this article. My aim is to create a forum for debate, one that encourages more authenticity in business and in life.
I'm fully aware that the very word authenticity conjures up different things for different people. For instance, a pair of authentic Levi jeans would be made in the USA, not India. A politician who is authentic would live by the ethics and values of his or her party. Advertising agencies would tell the truth about the products they are marketing, etc. Here, I aim to talk about authenticity, specifically as it relates to the current financial crisis. That is to say, the attitudes and behaviours that, in part, have contributed to the mess we are in. In addition, how, by becoming more authentic, we have the potential to contribute towards staving off a repeat performance. And as a bonus, we can reclaim what being the Best of British really means. Business Leaders, Directors and Managers are telling me that 'it's time to go back to basics.' I'd like to think that what I'm proposing is pretty basic.
From 1997 to 2007, Britain experienced unprecedented prosperity. And with these so-called boom years, any authenticity we, as a nation, had was cast aside. That's because we were trying too hard to be something we're not. Our new religion became shopping, cosmetic surgery, reality TV, where no one is being real, and copying celebrities' digitally enhanced images. Running parallel with our voracious appetite for more was a kind of denouncement of this country's core cultural values. We traded them in for selfishness, brashness and rudeness. Britain used to be envied for its tolerance, restraint, and eccentricity, the ability to laugh at itself and for its good manners. Britain was a role-model, almost iconic, a nation to emulate for its moral values. It's as if we no longer had the time or patience to be nice because we were too busy hoovering-up the next best thing. Some cultural observers say that Mr. Blair's gift to Britain was people who craved not values but designer labels and satellite dishes.
Britain is not alone in being caught up in the whirlwind of consumerism over substance, and what I describe as the erosion of its cultural heritage. The USA has a well-deserved reputation for having more and bigger; be that cars, food, Texas-type hair or sky scrapers. I recently read that a man was trampled to death at the first day of a sale at a Wall-Mart store in the mid-west. (Just think of it, a life was lost so that someone could elbow their way into being the first to buy a cheaper DVD or something similar). Now that Mr. Obama has been installed in the White House, someone who exudes authenticity, it's likely that he will reinstate some of America's core values and rebuild its credibility.
We, as a nation are confused about the very word authenticity, and what it really means to us. At almost every workshop I run, when I talk about authenticity, it sends ripples of intrigue and uncertainty throughout the room. A lot of attendees say that for them being authentic is 'just about being you; isn't it?' If only. Being authentic is only about being you if that you is self-reflective, genuine, thoughtful and empathetic. If you think of the people you know who you believe are authentic, they will embody some, all, or perhaps more of these kinds of qualities and characteristics. In addition, the way in which they use language, their appearance, their communication skills and their body-language will say it all – congruency: Someone who can be trusted, respected and looked up to.
For most, authenticity is something you learn and develop. Of course there are exceptions, in that some people seem to naturally radiate authenticity. It's as if it's attached to their DNA. Contemporary psychologists call this a 'natural pattern'. It's a bit like a talent, something you excel in, yet do naturally. When I ask participants at my workshops whom they think is authentic, they almost always choose their role models. In some cases it's their mother, their schoolteacher, a historical figure, an individual that's overcome hardship, or perhaps a celebrity that seems real. However, no matter how disparate their choices, there are almost always the same denominators... empathy, respect for others, kindness, optimism, excellent interpersonal skills and passion.
In order for someone to be able to exude undisputed credibility, they must first have what I call a 'quiet core' of self belief. This quiet core is defined by the fact that although they know their stuff, they are free of hubris, are humble and conscious that they certainly don't know it all. Furthermore, they are receptive to new ideas and possess a healthy curiosity about almost everything. People who are endowed with these characteristics tend to be thought of as charismatic. They come across as having a magnetic personality; they're believable and have an almost universal appeal. Often, they are considered to be the kind of person that you'd want around in a time of personal crisis.
Okay, I can hear you saying it seems like a lot to do to be authentic. Yes, it is. What I'm suggesting is a complete turn-around from the all about me naughties. And we all know how they turned out. In order for us to transcend the challenges that we're currently facing, and to begin moving in a better direction, both individually and as country, we need to change. The changes I'm proposing in the realm of being authentic are where I firmly believe we can all make a positive difference to ourselves and others. It's no secret that we all want to see a better world. We can begin to create that world by being more authentic. Goodness knows - if ever there was a time in recent years for authenticity to be at the forefront, surely it's now.
From 1997 to 2007, Britain experienced unprecedented prosperity. And with these so-called boom years, any authenticity we, as a nation, had was cast aside. That's because we were trying too hard to be something we're not. Our new religion became shopping, cosmetic surgery, reality TV, where no one is being real, and copying celebrities' digitally enhanced images. Running parallel with our voracious appetite for more was a kind of denouncement of this country's core cultural values. We traded them in for selfishness, brashness and rudeness. Britain used to be envied for its tolerance, restraint, and eccentricity, the ability to laugh at itself and for its good manners. Britain was a role-model, almost iconic, a nation to emulate for its moral values. It's as if we no longer had the time or patience to be nice because we were too busy hoovering-up the next best thing. Some cultural observers say that Mr. Blair's gift to Britain was people who craved not values but designer labels and satellite dishes.
Britain is not alone in being caught up in the whirlwind of consumerism over substance, and what I describe as the erosion of its cultural heritage. The USA has a well-deserved reputation for having more and bigger; be that cars, food, Texas-type hair or sky scrapers. I recently read that a man was trampled to death at the first day of a sale at a Wall-Mart store in the mid-west. (Just think of it, a life was lost so that someone could elbow their way into being the first to buy a cheaper DVD or something similar). Now that Mr. Obama has been installed in the White House, someone who exudes authenticity, it's likely that he will reinstate some of America's core values and rebuild its credibility.
We, as a nation are confused about the very word authenticity, and what it really means to us. At almost every workshop I run, when I talk about authenticity, it sends ripples of intrigue and uncertainty throughout the room. A lot of attendees say that for them being authentic is 'just about being you; isn't it?' If only. Being authentic is only about being you if that you is self-reflective, genuine, thoughtful and empathetic. If you think of the people you know who you believe are authentic, they will embody some, all, or perhaps more of these kinds of qualities and characteristics. In addition, the way in which they use language, their appearance, their communication skills and their body-language will say it all – congruency: Someone who can be trusted, respected and looked up to.
For most, authenticity is something you learn and develop. Of course there are exceptions, in that some people seem to naturally radiate authenticity. It's as if it's attached to their DNA. Contemporary psychologists call this a 'natural pattern'. It's a bit like a talent, something you excel in, yet do naturally. When I ask participants at my workshops whom they think is authentic, they almost always choose their role models. In some cases it's their mother, their schoolteacher, a historical figure, an individual that's overcome hardship, or perhaps a celebrity that seems real. However, no matter how disparate their choices, there are almost always the same denominators... empathy, respect for others, kindness, optimism, excellent interpersonal skills and passion.
In order for someone to be able to exude undisputed credibility, they must first have what I call a 'quiet core' of self belief. This quiet core is defined by the fact that although they know their stuff, they are free of hubris, are humble and conscious that they certainly don't know it all. Furthermore, they are receptive to new ideas and possess a healthy curiosity about almost everything. People who are endowed with these characteristics tend to be thought of as charismatic. They come across as having a magnetic personality; they're believable and have an almost universal appeal. Often, they are considered to be the kind of person that you'd want around in a time of personal crisis.
Okay, I can hear you saying it seems like a lot to do to be authentic. Yes, it is. What I'm suggesting is a complete turn-around from the all about me naughties. And we all know how they turned out. In order for us to transcend the challenges that we're currently facing, and to begin moving in a better direction, both individually and as country, we need to change. The changes I'm proposing in the realm of being authentic are where I firmly believe we can all make a positive difference to ourselves and others. It's no secret that we all want to see a better world. We can begin to create that world by being more authentic. Goodness knows - if ever there was a time in recent years for authenticity to be at the forefront, surely it's now.
