BE AN AUTHENTIC HUMAN

I love authenticity.??Anything that makes us a little more human is useful.??Leaders often struggle with this idea.??One of the most common mistakes they make is over-projecting confidence and competence while neglecting authenticity.??

Confidence and competence are, of course, terribly useful traits – but often overindulged.??They help you earn respect and compliance.??However, it’s authenticity that makes you human, approachable, and relatable.??That moves you past compliance towards real commitment.

There are many ways to be authentic and humanize yourself in the eyes of others.??One of my favorites is talking about mistakes, failures, and setbacks.??We have all experienced them, yet too many of us deny them.??What a shame.??They make us human and, when treated properly, accelerate learning.??

So, allow me to share an example from my life and then ask you to do the same in the comments.??

Some people think of me as successful, bright, and hard working – an educator and motivator of millions.??That’s somewhat true, but terribly incomplete.??My career did not begin smoothly. The following all happened from age sixteen to nineteen.

The frozen yogurt store.??I was fired for giving away yummy product to friends.??What an idiot.

The water park restaurant.??I was threatened with firing for using tobacco while at work.??What a stupid teenage redneck thing to do!??I have been happily tobacco free for many years now.

The landscaping company.??I quite after only half a day on my knees working with shrubs in the dirt.??Impressive conviction, right?

The bartender / waiter.??I was threatened with firing for giving a few draft beers away to good customers.??More questionable judgment…

I’m grateful to say that I chose to learn through this period.??I learned what hard work was about.??I learned that some rules can be broken, and some cannot.??I learned what it means to show and earn respect.??I learned to own my mistakes.??I learned to be humble. I learned that I needed to go to college and embrace education!

It’s worked out exceptionally well, but for a few years there I made suspect decisions and paid the price.??What about you???What blunder were you a part of and what did you learn???Please be brave and share an example in the comments.

You don’t have to share like this very often.??Too often could be a problem.??A few times each year is perfect.??Remember, this is more powerful than confidence and competence.??When you’re authentic and real, you’re more human.??Compliance morphs into commitment – and it’s free – you’re welcome!

TODD’S TIPS

Be honest about what you can and can’t do.??I take a lot of calls for speaking gigs.??Sometimes they want exactly what I can offer.??Many times, they want something a little outside of my wheelhouse.??Sometimes they want something very unrelated to what I do.??I need to pay the bills like everyone else, so what should I do?

With great respect, I know that a lot of people sell themselves into spaces where they don’t fit.??That’s due to a desire to grow, make money, help others, show initiative, etc.??Often times, it’s a problem.??It means you risk under-performing, appearing dishonest, and hurting your personal brand.?

I’m not na?ve.??I know that sometimes you don’t have a choice.??If your supervisor asks you to take the project or work with the client, you need to comply.??True, but at least you can be real with them to properly manage expectations.??Then, when doing the work, be honest, admit what you don’t know, and seek assistance as needed.??

You don’t have to know it all, you just have to be honest about it.??If you work hard, learn fast, and are generally a pleasant person with whom to work, they won’t hold it against you.??In fact, it becomes a useful form of honesty that earns you respect.?

WHAT’S UP WITH DR. D?

Gigs!??Both virtual and in-person are starting to happen more frequently as Covid (hopefully) is becoming manageable.??So exciting.??Next up for me – the March 1st?Audio Publishers Association annual event (huge thanks to Dean Karrel).??

New publisher!??I just signed a contract to work with a publisher for my tentatively titled next book, Dancing with Monsters.??It’s a fun fable about overcoming fears and a few leadership basics.??It will take some time, maybe up to a year, to get it in stores.??More soon…??

Newly released Chinese language version of my course, Embracing Unexpected Change, is now live on LinkedIn Learning (拥抱意外变化):??https://bit.ly/3oZJDpF.

Until next time – stay safe, go learn something, maybe help someone, or at least do something interesting!

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