Are You Creating Your Authenticity

This word Authenticity is being thrown around a lot this year.  Some use it accurately and others as a buzz word.  Here is what I want to share with you.

To create success for your business in today’s economy it is no longer an option to be authentic and “real”

What do I mean by that? Simple…in every group that I participate in, we are what we define as “Go-givers and Servant Leaders“.  (if you are not sure what that means read Eric Standlee’s welcome message it is all right there) We give first without expecting you to recipricate directly.  WHY?  you ask that sounds too “Kum Bah Yaa” for me Michele.

This is networking 101. If you are unable to listen and hear what someone else’s needs are and then help them, why would they trust you to give you a referral to their network?

It reminds me of a story my friend and founder of My Referral Network shares about this: when a husband and wife take the attitude “What has He/She doe for me lately?” then you are on a losing slope.  Instead of saying, “Why should I cook him dinner when did he last bring me flowers?” or “Why should I give her a shoulder massage when was last time she cooked me home cooked meal?” Someone has to start the good will or you just have a Mexican Stand off and we know how those end from watching old movies.

Be the giver and you are also building what I refer to as your prosperity escrow.

What are the benefits of taking this mindset? SIMPLE.  You show others that you CARE.  And when someone shows me they care then I am happy to go out of my way to help them.

Now, what does that have to do with authenticity?

Great question and one that needs to be addressed more often.  Let me ask you a few questions and see where it leads.

• Do you pretend to be nice to people to just get them to help you?
• Do you take time to meet with 1-2 people each week to “literally get to know them with no agenda”?
• Are you taking the same mindset from the corporate world that you do not like and using it in your business? (because that is what you were taught is the definition of professional?)
• Do you behave one way in business settings and another with friends?

Here are a few things you might be shocked and amazed by.  People know when you are not being “who you are with them”  They feel a subconscious disconnect and it will affect their decision making processes (i.e. affect if you do business together).

Now I am not saying you  have to let all your bad habits hang out, giggle (I knew some of you would want to take the devil’s advocate) I am saying, if you are boisterous be boisterous , if you are quiet then be quiet, if you are passionate then be passionate when you network so that people know what to expect when they connect with you.

Gone are the days when you can really hide anything so why are you wasting energy  trying to do so, social media blew that out of the water.  Privacy is gone. Now you know what it feels to be like a celebrity.  Sobering huh!  I know you are fussing saying “Well, Michele I am not going to do that you have to act professional period.” Yes and No.  No one is saying be an ass, I am saying BE YOU!  Own your brand, own who you are and be proud of it.  You will not please everyone.  You will not win every client.  You wouldn’t want them anyway, that’s is how you get clients from HELL.  Trying to be something you are not.

Authenticity is about be honest with yourself first. (I know tough one for some folks).  Setting aside ego and learned behaviors that do not serve us is not always easy.  That is why we have coaches and counselors.  Highly successful entrepreneurs use coaches.  If you want their success level look at how you can apply what they do to your life and business.

I am all about supporting my clients to be Authentic, it is what separates the wheat and chaff.

How Are You Being Authentic?

Who Have You Validated Lately?

If you are asking yourself Michele how do you validate someone I have two videos you can watch to answer that.  How do you Validate Others.  You Are Validated.

Love to hear your feedback, questions and ideas. BE a participant, NOT an observer.

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