100% Genuine

Our CEO is a good guy. Recently I was reviewing a nomination that was written for him to receive some kind of award, and in the nomination was a list of adjectives Intouch associates had used to describe him. Among them was the word “genuine.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of “genuine” lately. As it applies to social media, people often use the words “authentic” and “transparent” – traits critical to effectively communicating in the social space. Honest, frank, open, unpretentious, and unaffected are words my Microsoft Word Thesaurus identifies as synonyms to genuine. Even current trends in food point to “organic” and “all-natural” … i.e., genuine. But what does “genuine” really mean, and why does it matter in today’s business environment?

I know from experience that for some people, being genuine is a difficult thing to be. I’ve had my moments over the years. But however lofty, I believe being genuine is indeed a worthwhile goal.

In an excellent book I’m currently reading, The Happiness Project, the author Gretchen Rubin challenges herself to “Be Gretchen.” The premise is that we’ll be happier if we stop trying to pretend to be someone we aren’t. Don’t apologize for who you are. Don’t be something you’re not. Don’t wish you were someone you aren’t.

I’ve seen companies (even if subconsciously) train their associates to be guarded. Why is that?   If we don’t let our guard down, are we more likely to “sell” something? If we’re not guarded, might we accidentally give away some vital industry secret?  Doubtful.

More likely, if we open up, we will make friends, build trust, open doors and connect with like-minded people.

Who or what is disingenuous? You see it from companies – yes, often, pharma companies – who communicate behind a veil of public relations fluff. You see it in agencies posturing to prove who's smarter than whom. You see it in bloggers who write with the sole purpose of being controversial to build readership – even if they may not always really believe what they write.

I’ve also seen and experienced in myself – and witnessed in others – that the more business experience and knowledge one obtains, the more confidence is built. And with more confidence in your own opinions and one’s self comes a diminishing need for faking it.

Are the disiplines of sales and marketing naturally disingenuous? They don't have to be.

So let’s hear it for aspiring to be ourselves. For being - simply - who we are. For letting down the guard. For being bold enough to be genuine.