Being authentic can make you popular or not!

Being authentic should not be something we should trade for anything or anyone. The way I grew up was the Italian way. Both of my parents, even though my mother wasn’t Italian, were pretty much authentic. We learned to always look people in the eye when we were speaking to them or they were speaking to us. At that  time we were punished for our misdeeds, we had to look our parents in the eye as well. So, we pretty much obliged by that unspoken rule, to be authentic.

Working in the corporate world, I always found it interesting and fascinating that only a few people would be authentic. Most of them would be like the wind, it all depended on what direction the wind was blowing, so like lambs they would line up in that direction.

One problem, when you are insecure and fickle, acting this way, you are not only losing your Spirit but it also doesn’t mean you will be saved or in anyone’s good graces if you decide to enter into the fold. Remember that corporations are always changing and evolving. Who you decide to line up with today may not be in your best interest in the near future.

When you are living your life through your Spirit not your ego, then this is where you may or may not be as popular with the rest of the pack. Speaking your mind when you are seeing issues that could impact your project or the company may not be welcomed by others, but it will, in the long run, help the company and make you a master in your own field.

I have encountered too many people leading with their ego that would rather see me burn at the stake than to accept I or someone else had seen the problem, acknowledged it then provided a couple of solutions. You could become a target, a threat. No matter how you delivered the news, you could become “black listed” but if the right person is in the room with you, then you will be a trusted source that individuals will come to for answers.

It is not always fun to come to work with your “bulletproof jacket” on waiting for someone to take aim at you. But it is a great reward when you can provide solutions that help your company.  Key people will know who you are.

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.” – Albert Einstein