<p>I read a recent article in Men's Health Magazine about authenticity, and how being authentic helped President Obama, and numerous other Presidents get elected over their competition, some against great odds. These winners weren't the most moral, (think Clinton) or necessarily well-spoken (think Bush), or most careful not to offend (think Obama). But, they were authentic. They didn't highlight a value that they did not in fact inhabit. And, that authenticity got them elected.<br />&nbsp;<br />What is it about authenticity that helped Obama and past Presidents be elected and how can you learn from them to help your own success?<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Being Authentic</strong><br />Authenticity simply means being true to yourself, and expressing that truth. When your inward and outward selves are aligned, it comes through in all you do, and people think you are "real." The same is true for the opposite. People know when you are not authentic, or when you are expressing something not in alignment with your personal values, beliefs, morals, etc. They may sense it as you being "fake."<br />&nbsp;<br />In what ways can you be more authentic in your business, and what result will that bring?</p> <ul> <li><strong>Express Your Truth <br /></strong>One of the greatest ways you express yourself in business is through your marketing message. The who, why, what and how you put out into the world. If this message is not consistent with you, your values, your delivery, your appearance, then you will appear inauthentic and your sales numbers will reflect this.<br /><br />For example, in my web marketing, I've been tempted to include strategies that I see my competitors using. Even though they "seem" like a good idea, if I were to utilize them, my marketing message would not be authentic to me. Even though the strategy on its own may work, I'd likely self-sabotage it, not use it, or my prospects would sense something was "off" and turn away.</li> <li><strong>Acknowledge How "Fake" You Are</strong><br />If there is an aspect to you or your business, not congruent with you or your image, than acknowledge it and don't try to hide it.<br /><br />To use an example from our last President - George W. Bush doesn't always use the English language in the way it was intended. Why would we have elected someone appearing so un-intelligent? Because, he was authentic - he often poked fun at the way he would make up words. He did not try to appear as a Rhode's Scholar. If he had, people would've seen right through it and I doubt he would have been elected. Instead, he focused on his strengths and acknowledged his visible weakness.</li> <li><strong>Check Yourself</strong><br />It's important to check in with yourself, especially as you develop new materials, new products or new strategies. Ask yourself, does this new thing reflect who I am, where my values lie, and am I behaving or acting accordingly?<br /><br />For example, I'm constantly reminding myself that my appearance is part of my brand. Even though I may work with a client who's wearing sweatpants, who invites me to wear them to their house as well, sweatpants are not authentic to my brand - no matter how comfortable they may be. So, I don't wear them and instead show up in work-appropriate pants. Simple, but important.</li> </ul> <p>Keeping that well known credo in mind - that people do business with those they know, like and trust - why not make it easier for them to trust you? Trust is built faster when others believe you are "real"&nbsp; and truly authentic.</p> <p>Now go out there and express yourself, authentically! Your business will be better off for it.</p> 2009-04-21T04:44:13Z -8.22732 167 4261 true 15 11309 what-presidential-elections-can-teach-us-about-how-to-be-successful-in-business 2 2009-04-21T13:04:28Z 2009-04-21T13:05:13Z

Authenticity - why it matters to your bottom line. What is it about authenticity that helped Obama and past Presidents get elected, and how can you learn from them to help your own success?

1 2009-04-21T13:05:13Z