Nice socks! (be authentic!*)

I was rehearsing my Toastmasters Icebreaker speech last Thursday night when a fellow member remarked, "Nice socks, Timothy!". Yep, I was dressed in a three-piece suit, tailored button-down shirt with French cuffs, and goofy socks. The socks, a gift from a dear friend in Belfast, featured a Japanese theme of sushi, sashimi, and sake bottles/ cups. Wouldn't I have been better off wearing traditional dark black or blue socks?

I am at a stage in my career where I have worn my fair share of traditional socks. I have done things the traditional way. And I have come to realize that I need to be authentic. I need to be who I am. And that is an experienced and articulate 401k advisor with a bit of a whimsical and fun side to him.

It is important to be authentic but to also know your audience. Does your authenticity add to your message and stature or is it distracting? How does your audience perceive you?

And yes, experience goes a long way. Your audience needs to see you as an expert in your field. Against that backdrop, they will understand your "socks". I think of the fictional TV character of Dr. Gregory House, MD. His authenticity came out in rather blunt statements and socially awkward behavior but these were tolerated as he extremely accurate in diagnosing what was wrong with a patient.

In my case, my Icebreaker speech demonstrated to my new Toastmaster club that I am a veteran public speaker with over 25 years of experience under my belt. I am well beyond the basic and even the advanced speaking manuals and am seeking to teach what I have learned. In other words, there is more to me than just colorful socks but make no mistake, they are part of my authentic self.

The same can be said for my professional side. My hard-earned 401k knowledge can be seen in my prepared remarks, the questions I ask, and how I answer prospective client questions. My fun and playful side are on display and that is reflected in my socks.

A final thought? Not everyone is the right client for you. Just as you are authentic about who you are, also be honest about who you like to work with. Inauthenticity on either or both of those fronts will result in an unhappy relationship. So show me your socks and let's have some fun!