The Professional Women’s Club of Michigan is starting the 2016-2017 season of luncheons, projects, and more to inspire, mentor and empower women in the business community. As part of the steering committee for the group, we have been planning. Everyone wants to be authentic. But what does that mean.
My thoughts turned to doing what you were designed to do even if that means getting out of your comfort zone. It’s also where we feel most fulfilled. And as a people-pleaser at times in my life, conversation turned to being open and direct in our conversations with each other. Not saying just what we know people want to hear from us.
And of course what happens with a group of women, there is laughter and fun. We want to explore. Not take ourselves too seriously.
A quick search online and I found the following blog on authenticity. It brought out points I hadn’t thought about. Sharing this as we start our season of discovering what it means to be “authentic”! Hope you will join us!
The following was taken from the blog : “What is Authenticity in Business” by Patricia Haddock. To see the original blog, CLICK HERE
“Authenticity–The quality of being genuine or not corrupted from the original. Truthfulness of origins, attributions, commitments, sincerity, and intentions.” Source: Wiktionary
Based on this definition, when someone is being authentic, their behavior, manners, language, attitudes–everything about them–are consistent and apparent in everything they do. They freely show their real selves to others. There is a connection between their words and actions, between who they are as a person and who they are as an entrepreneur, between how they act in private and how they act in business.
For me, authenticity in business means:
- Being accountable, admitting mistakes, and apologizing. Authentic people don’t bury their mistakes or point fingers.
- Respecting others and crediting them for their achievements and ideas. Authentic people don’t “borrow” ideas from others; they have plenty of their own ideas.
- Willingly and freely helping others without expectations of getting something in return. Authentic people don’t keep scorecards.
- Having the courage to acknowledge their emotions and communicate honestly with others. Authentic people don’t pretend to be what they aren’t.
- Being honest and forthright in everything. Authentic people don’t exaggerate or shade the truth.
When it comes to developing products and services, authenticity is an important element in developing long-term customer relationships. Lately, I’ve seen a lot of “experts” selling coaching packages and workshops that claim to teach us how to “make a million,” yet many of these “experts” are struggling to pay the rent. Here’s another example: “The $9,000 package of products for just $97!” I have found that most of the “package” is old, tired content that can’t be sold as new and valuable. It might have been worth $9,000 ten years ago, but today? Not so much.
Then there are those who change personalities like some people change their underwear. They are completely different depending on whom they are with. Is that being authentic? I’m not talking about knowing how to communicate to different people or how to establish rapport, I’m talking about people who become someone else, who take on a new persona just to “get in” with someone they need for business. Is that authentic?
What does authenticity in business mean to you?
Hope you will join us at the Professional Women’s Club of Michigan first luncheon on October 19th for our Kick-Off Luncheon.
The PWCM will be exploring how to be authentic in our business communications, professional/personal relationships and in our leadership roles. Our discussion will include the impact that our authenticity has on our bottom line and on projecting the best version of ourselves. Dr. Michelle Byrd from McCaskill Family Services will be back to facilitate and enlighten our discussion! You may remember her from our season finale panel discussion in May, 2016.
Thanks to Bulldog IT Services for their generous Executive Sponsorship of PWCM this year! Thanks, also, to Lisa Nelson of Hush Intimate Apparel for being our Centerpiece Sponsor for this event!
Join us for fun and fellowship while you connect with local business professionals!
Location: Oak Pointe Country Club, 4500 Club Drive, Brighton 48116
Cost: $25 members; $30 guests
It will be held at Oak Pointe Country Club from 12:00 noon until 1:30 pm. To register, go to http://brightoncoc.org. To learn more about the PWCM, go to http://pwcm.biz.
Nancy Johnson
Nancy J Web Design
Nancy designs and develops customized websites for small businesses, organizations and individuals through Nancy J Web Design. She also blogs about faith, small business, community, and online marketing through Social Eyes on Business.
email: nancy@nancyjwebdesign.com
phone: 586-817-9196
