“No man can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true.” ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne ~
Authenticity and Uniqueness were the newest buzzword in the market in 2004 that aimed to connect with people on an emotional level. In Hot Trends for 2005, Laura Tiffany cited Authenticity and Uniqueness as two of eight hot consumer trends for 2005.
Authenticity and Uniqueness are as relevant in 2008 as they were in 2004/05. In a fierce competitive global market the ‘Best of the Best’ Brands will win. And the ‘Best of the Best’ Brands are authentic brands in career, business and in leadership.
The concept of authenticity receives significant amount of attention as more people search for deeper meaning and purpose in their lives and work. Wherever you look people talk and write about authenticity, the importance of being authentic, and what qualities authentic leaders ’should’ demonstrate.
What can be gained from being authentic?
We can look at authenticity from a tangible and intangible perspective. The tangible is the product that you deliver. The intangible is you, the person and how congruent you show up in the world. When you look at a tangible product it is quiet easy to establish whether it is or isn’t authentic. When it comes to personal authenticity this is more difficult.
The dictionary definition is not helpful in establishing whether or not you are authentic in the true sense. It uses the terms authenticity and genuine interchangeable. On the surface they may sound like being the same but as anyone who is connected with their authenticity will tell you in hindsight, they are distinctively different.
So how does being genuine differ from being authentic? Genuine to me means not to pretend to be someone that I am not. I have been a genuine person all my life, yet I have not been an authentic person all my life. I discovered being authentic is being genuine minus social conditioning. You can see that you will not meet your “authentic self” till you free yourself from social conditioning. This means that to a great extent unintended social conditioning may have silenced the expression of your authentic voice together with the expression of your unique gifts, core value, and higher purpose for the sake of fitting in.
Authenticity is the inner voice that is, and always has been, deep within you. It is the voice that knows what is right and wrong in the world. It is grounded in honoring the worth and dignity of humanity. It is the voice that knows your higher purpose and your contribution to the world. Connecting with your authenticity is what gives you the quiet inner confidence and courage to be the change you want to see in the world.
Connecting with our authenticity is not a luxury. It is as essential as the oxygen to survive at high altitudes. It is what gives you the edge in your career, business and in your leadership. It is you inner compass that guides you in all your decision making for the rest of your life. It is the foundation for inner peace and living a fulfilled life.
The expression of our authenticity is quintessential for serving your deepest essence and character in the co-evolution of our global culture. A global culture built on purpose that enriches, deepens and broadens the spiritual sense of self for the greater good of mankind. Authenticity gives your personal brand the edge in your career, business and as a leader at any level
Contrary to common belief it doesn’t take years of hard work to connect with your authenticity. It requires a readiness and openness on your part to look deep inside yourself and to rekindle what’s truly important to you as a person and leader, and to connect with your guiding light that has brought you to where you are today.
copyright2007 Elisabeth Gortschacher
Authentic Personal Branding expert, MCC and Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach, Elisabeth partners with entrepreneurs, leaders and professionals internationally to develop and market their distinctive soul-inspired brand. She is affectionately known as the ‘archeologists of the soul’ for her depth, passion and integrity she brings to her work. Elisabeth is the founder and leader of world leadership day. Visit her at http://www.GuerrillaMarketingUniverse.com
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