The Power of Authenticity!

Authenticity has kind of become the buzz word, people throw it out to describe themselves, people use it to describe what they are looking for, but often times, people don't understand the word and conform to the current trend, or they don't understand what to do when someone is authentic because it differs from the current norm.

I have found that especially in organizations, authenticity is asked for, but what they really want is someone that blends in, someone that doesn't disrupt the current climate or culture, even if it is the very thing they were hired to change. And staying authentic to who you are, your values, your spirit, can become very lonely and cause many individuals to either work in a toxic environment or leave.

I enjoyed a long leadership career before I took the entrepreneurial route, but I remember being called colorful, on several occasions because I dared to wear colors instead of the customary muted tones that was expected of leadership.

Truthfully companies ask for authenticity then they do everything to stifle it, because they let the individuals know in subtle and non-subtle ways that that is not the way things were always done.

Being authentic to who you are is so important to your wellbeing and your mental health, but it also causes you to be left out, penalized and overlooked. It can be lonely and if you are not strong, it will make you consider compromising who you are so that you can fit in.

But can I tell you something from someone who have always strived to be authentic to who they are, there is victory in it, there is joy in it, but it is not easy, you will be talked about, you will get left out of some things including opportunities and promotions, but here is something that has always helped me, anything I achieve while I am pretending to be someone else, is not really mine and eventually the toll will become too much and I will either lose who I am and become the version others want or I will sacrifice my mental health, and frankly no one is worth that. So, I will either stay and fight if it is worth it or walk away but, in every circumstance, I remain authentic to me, and there is power in that, who you are no one can take away.

So, if you are struggling right now to maintain your authenticity, just remember, jobs, roles, awards and even people will come and go from your life, but you will always remain, so ensure that you are true to who you are because whoever you are, you will have to live with.