Authenticity: Why being yourself has never been more important

By Jennifer Glime, May 12, 2024 The pressure to deliver a flawless online persona has never been greater. In the age of superficial influencers (I only ate kale for 4,555 days in a row), botoxed everything (is she smiling or), and a compete-or-else culture (bro, do you even lift?), it's no wonder so many of us are struggling to put our authentic selves out there.

The truth is, none of this really matters. When I consider the lengths we go to fit in, starting at a young age, it’s time to reassess whether this is working for anyone at all.

What authenticity isn’t

Authenticity is not perfectly curated. It’s not exceedingly polished or toxically positive. It does not involve hiding your flaws or suppressing your beliefs to serve others’ expectations. Rather, authenticity embraces our imperfections, celebrates what makes each of us unique, and focuses on how our gifts can work in conjunction—not in competition—with others.

What authenticity really means

Authenticity is the secret sauce. It’s your differentiator. And if you’re not fully leaning into it to promote the most genuine version of YOU, you are doing yourself a massive disservice.

Authenticity is the quality of being real, genuine and true. And when you understand how to leverage this as your superpower, you will open yourself to a level of fulfilment that will aid in every aspect of your life, from your health, to your relationships, to your career.

How getting closer to your authentic self will take you next-level

1)      Build genuine rapport with colleagues and clients. When others can feel your sincerity, they are more likely to trust in you and support your efforts.

2)      Demonstrate your unique value. Don’t lose yourself in a sea of similarities. Be bold, stand out, and get noticed for exactly who you are and the traits that make you different than everyone else. Same is forgettable. Different is memorable.

3)      Create resilience. When you’re different, it’s ok to achieve unexpected results. Being genuine allows you to shift gears more easily because your actions align with your values.

4)      Authenticity is a magnet. When you are true to yourself, the right opportunities will present themselves. People are drawn to those who aren’t afraid to be themselves. Afterall, when was the last time you were drawn to something phony?

5)      Consistency demonstrates reliability. When you are firm in your beliefs, others will be drawn to the solid foundation you’re creating, which leads to a reliable reputation.

6)      Authenticity is a relief. Trying to be someone you’re not is exhausting. Following your authentic path will allow you to focus on work that is meaningful to you.

7)      Legacy-building. When you are true to your authentic self, you will automatically create positive impacts on every project you touch, because they matter to you. This will ensure that your work and your story will continue on.

The bottom line

Everything is not meant for everyone, and that is OK! Whether it’s a job interview that doesn’t feel quite right, a project you aren’t sure you want to commit to, or a kale salad you just can’t force yourself to choke down, ask yourself: is this serving who I am at my core? If the answer is yes, go for it! If not, go home and snuggle your dog.