Cynicism Defeated: Authenticity

Be Authentic.

1. Authenticity breads credibility.
2. Credibility builds trust.
3. Trust nurtures hope.
4. Hope wards off cynicism.

No fakes. Live your vision statement...no matter the cost.

Just before Christmas, executives from the big three US automakers pleaded their case to Congress for why their companies needed significant Government loans to weather the economic downturn. Their testimony was eloquent. They spoke of how devastating it would be to loose thousands of US jobs if these automakers were to have close. They spoke of improving quality and competitiveness against foreign rivals. They spoke of the sad potential of a future with no US car companies. These CEOs waxed on about how their companies would be good stewards of any funds the government entrusted to them.

Sadly the eloquence of their words were overwhelmed by the volume of their actions. All three had traveled to the Capitol Hill hearings on private jets. Even if you think giving money to the auto industry is the right thing to do to get this nation of its downward spiral, doesn't a story about executives flying private jets make you want to slap each of these CEOs in the forehead with the flat of your palm and yell,

"You dufus, you just don't get it; you have NO credibility with me! I don't trust you!"

It is clear these men got the message loud and clear. In follow-up congressional testimony a week later, two execs flew on commercial airlines (in coach) while one drove across country in their company's new hybrid car. Imagine the powerful authentic message these men could have conveyed if they had switched their original travel plans a week earlier.

Authenticity is not the same thing as good marketing. If you are hollow on the inside, just like the dead Oak standing in the field, sooner or later life's storm will knock you over. Sooner or later your clever marketing will falter if the marketer does not really believe the marketing. Sooner or later marketing not grounded in deep-seeded belief in ones cause will ring false.

Authenticity is better than marketing. Authenticity is:

• Rare, which makes authentic people and organizations stand out from the crowd.
• Contagious, people naturally want to be around authentic people.
• Empowering, even to those who do not share your vision. Simply seeing others truly live the way they say they will compels others to try harder to live their own visions.

Do you know authentic people or organizations? I would like to hear from you. I would like to celebrate these people and organizations with you. We need as many authentic people as we can get.

Cynics can be overcome. No shortcuts - just actions matching words...everytime.