Principles of Authenticity

A month or so ago I attended a few different presentations, Julia Deaver, as she was invited to Brigham Young University Hawaii to speak. One of her topics I felt was powerful was this idea of what creates authenticity when networking with people you meet. Whether it's personally connecting with people or business interaction, how we show up in life for others will truly determine how far you get when it comes to true success.

You may ask if it's so important, how do you become authentic in all you do? That's a great question. To answer that I want to refer to the points she mentioned in her presentation.

1. BE CONSISTENT - With so many distractions these days, those who can stay consistent in their actions and words build confidence in their lives and ultimately win in the end. One of my favorite quotes is, "Confidence is a by-product of success.'' The quicker you have consistent success the greater confidence you and others will have in you.
2. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT - This was a point I particularly appreciate because most of my life, it was the last thing on my mind to ask others for help when I needed it. After all, I was so independent and felt like if I asked for help that would make others think I am weak but what I learned is just the opposite. People, in general, are more than willing to help when asked so don't be afraid. The worst thing that can happen is they say no and without being attached to them saying no you can ask someone else that might be willing. Don't give up.
3. YOU HAVE A VOICE.... USE IT! - I know this may sound strange but do you truly know who you are and what you stand for or don't stand for? This is what is commonly known as using your voice. Don't be ashamed to share with others how you feel about things especially when they are things that you feel passionately about. We must get to a place in the world where we allow others to be who they are whether we accept that or not. We all have agency. This doesn't mean that you bully others or try and make others see things from your point of you but rather there is a way of sharing your voice that creates a space for common respect.
4. THINK DIFFERENTLY - Much like your voice, we all are unique in our own ways. Many times it's the out of the box thinking that sticks with people long term With such a competitive world out there. in order for you to stand out, you must first think differently, act differently and share your unique qualities in a way that is different from anyone else out there. Get creative.
5. 5. TRUST YOUR GUT - I would venture to say most people struggle with this one but learning to trust yourself and the impressions you have in your daily decisions is a powerful principle to setting yourself up for success. When you get those so-called pings to do something, do it. When you feel hesitant, take a moment and don't rush into things. Life isn't a race and it's sometimes taking that extra time to listen to your gut that will save you in the long run from making too many mistakes.

TAP INTO IT...

REFINE IT...

SHINE IT...

I wanted to thank Julia for sharing the wisdom she has with us. It's a good reminder of what we can work on to becoming more and more authentic which allows us to be the true leaders we are meant to be.