Are You Authentic In Your Small Business?

February 23 by | 14 comments | Featured, Management | Tags: , , , ,

Being authentic can be surprisingly difficult, especially in business. I often work with people who have no problem being genuine in real life, but who really struggle with authenticity in business. I hear from clients that, in business, they have to appear to be mega-successful — not just sort of successful, and not “hey, I’m growing a business here,” but really successful, in order to be taken seriously. There’s so much posturing and pretending, because people believe that you can’t become successful unless you appear to already be successful. But that’s just not true! In fact, it’s just the opposite.

We’re all works in progress.

I’ve seen “behind the scenes” of a lot of the people who many of us think of as mega-successful, and things aren’t always how they seem. A well-known wealth coach I know spends most of his time talking about the power of mindset, but I know that he struggles with exactly the same issues everyone else does: doubt, uncertainty, insecurity. We’re all works in progress. Every single one of us. We all have questions and insecurities and fears. It’s how you deal with those internal struggles that matters.

The truth has a way of seeping out anyway.

We think we’re so good at hiding our secrets from the rest of the world. But whether it’s a financial crisis, marital problems, personal demons, or something else, even if you think you’re keeping your skeletons hidden, you’re probably not. Truth has a way of sneaking out there and betraying our lies. Truth may show up in an uncertain look in your eye or in the way you keep your secrets, but know this: it’s almost impossible to keep things totally hidden.

It’s not all about appearances. It’s about truth.

Far too many folks out there seem to think that if you appear to be super-successful, you’ll achieve legitimacy. But it’s not about how you seem, it’s about how you are. If who you really are matches up with who you say you are, then you’ll appear credible, because you are credible. On the other hand, pretend you’re something that you’re not and you’ll come off as shady.

The real secret to gaining legitimacy is authenticity.

We’re all after legitimacy, in the end. So take the time to build your expertise and knowledge, offer your services at a discounted rate while you gain experience, and build in the right systems to support your products and services so you can offer unparalleled good service. You’ll build credibility by doing things right, and with credibility and legitimacy comes real success.

  • http://www.crealityconsulting.com Kriszta

    Thanks a lot! It was an answer to my unspoken question :)

  • http://www.darkmatterconsulting.com Dave Kaiser

    I had to learn that lesson the hard way, several times… ;-)

    Dave

  • http://iam-bc.com/ Shalini Bahl

    I love that more and more people are talking about authenticity in business. I agree with all your points. It is so interesting how we think we alone have these fears, but even the most successful people have similar fears. Liked your point about its how we deal with the fears.

    I also wrote about authentic leadership and there is some overlap in the points and few others that I talk about. Would love to hear what you think.
    http://mindfulmarketers.blogspot.com/2009/07/are-you-authentic-entrepreneur.html

  • http://www.bowsoprecious.com/itty_bitty_hair_bows/1 hair-bow-girl

    As a work-at-home-mom and owner of a hair bow business I can relate. There’s a lot of competition out there and I sometimes wonder how “authentic” some of our competitors are made out to be. We always stay truthful and while it is hard to compete with the biggies out there our business is still doing well. Good advice. Thanks

    http://www.bowsoprecious.com/itty_bitty_hair_bows/1

  • hair-bow-girl

    As owner of a hair bow business I can relate. There’s a lot of competition out there and I sometimes wonder how “authentic” some of our competitors are made out to be. We always stay truthful and while it is hard to compete with the biggies out there our business is still doing well. Good advice. Thanks

    Girls Hair Bows
    http://www.bowsoprecious.com/itty_bitty_hair_bows/1

  • http://www.anxietysupportnetwork.com Dan @ Anxiety Support Network

    Good point…I think we rarely see authenticity these days including in business. I’d be interested to see what the comparison is in terms of sales growth or percentages between people who are more focused on being authentic and people who are more focused on making the sale. I’ve always subscribed to being authentic, but sometimes it seems like it doesn’t always win out. Waht do others here think?

  • http://frombottomup.com/ Hulbert

    The bigger the internet grows, the harder it is to find people that are willing to show who they are and what they stand for. That’s why authenticity is so important in small business. If we stand out from the crowd that are trying to fake it, then we have a better chance building relationships with other people who don’t know us.

  • http://www.businessinbluejeans.com Susan Baroncini-Moe

    Dan, I think it depends on your definition of success or “winning out.” I’ve seen some folks in my own industry who looked like they were doing really well, but I knew from behind the scenes that they weren’t being authentic…and they’re paying the price now. I believe authenticity is the best way to grow a business, especially in a world that’s growing ever more complex. The key, as Hulbert alludes to, is in building relationships and connecting with others. And if you do that with integrity and authenticity, that’s what will make you stand head and shoulders above the rest. :)

  • http://www.businessinbluejeans.com Susan Baroncini-Moe

    Shalini, great article! We should talk!

  • frank

    if you think you’re keeping your skeletons hidden, you’re probably not. Truth has a way of sneaking out there and betraying our lies. Truth may show up in an uncertain look in your eye or in the way you keep your secrets, but know this: it’s almost impossible to keep things totally hidden.

    I agree with it just like http://www.udtek.com

  • http://allwomenstalk.com All Women Stalker

    I’m so happy that authenticity in the professional world is getting some notice. I’m getting sick of all these pretense and need to impress.

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  • http://budurl.com/4bpg Ched

    This is interesting. I have met a lot of people in business who come off less than sincere and I think they could use a lesson in being true to themselves. However, I think a certain degree of posturing works too, especially if you want someone to trust you. You just have to guard against appearing too cocky.

    P.S. It’s still about customer service, I think. It’s still about doing what needs to be done to make the customer happy, whether it necessitates authenticity or an extra shot of confidence. This article has something to teach about competition that will allow you to win over others in your field http://budurl.com/4qfw.

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