Given my propensity to beat the proverbial dead horse, I thought I would continue on a stream of thought I touched on earlier. Authenticity, Transparency, and Respect, Oh my! It seems that everywhere you turn, someone is addressing the authenticity and transparency virus, it's just so ripe and juicy. Really? I know plenty of recruiters and business professionals that have been beating on those two doors their whole careers, so why all the hubbub now?


I find it interesting that someone can use several four-letter words in a blog or utilize unimaginative yet provocative language and all of a sudden, they are labeled authentic and deemed as a keeper of transparency, like a shiny box of Saran wrap. But is that really transparency or authenticity? Sounds to me like selfishness and boredom or quite possibly lack of a true skill set and base knowledge. It would certainly speak to a deficit in creativity and an "I don't care" attitude.

When reaching out to a client, customer, vendor, or candidate, what is the best approach? Just wear your flip-flops and tank tops, because "Hey dude, this is who I am and I'm authentic?" I am the bona fide real deal. Really? I don't know, sounds kind of egotistical and perhaps a bit childish. There have been a few times in my career when I said the wrong thing, when I knew I had offended my listener. I was mortified and dwelled on it for days, maybe weeks. Living like that doesn't appeal to me.

Now if you don't care, truly don't care..., then cool. Party on and offend away, but how much narrower is your audience? With your market share reduced and business development stunted, there is more room for those that work harder to be respectful, not authentic nor transparent. I am a big fan of being true to oneself, but at what cost? When deference for those who sign your check or promote your business diminishes, how far behind is the demise of self-respect?

For some reason, I'm really not that interested in being compared to a $4.99 box of plastic wrap. My idea of authenticity is more "what you see is what you get." I show you respect and that is what you will get. I follow through by returning phone calls and emails and that is what you'll get. Your needs are important to me and that is what you'll get. I understand what your problem is and I will work to solve it - that's what you'll get. After all, seeing is believing.



by rayannethorn

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