Embracing Authenticity as a Business

We live in a world saturated with specially curated feeds, formats and vibes. These all help create a feel that someone has when you see them online or in-person. Yet increasingly so these curated formats which we interact with each other are masks we wear to hide behind. Rather than a front of self-embracing and authenticity.

This is not something that only sticks to how people and communities interact, but how businesses interact as well. Holding onto the next trend, the next way to capitalize, or the next thing to hide behind because we cannot embrace the true nature of our business. From billionaires being called out for lying about being a billionaire, to small businesses desperately clawing their way into ‘appearing big’.

We have a hard time embracing who we are because we believe that the ideal version we want to appear as is going to be received better. The unfortunate reality of this is that people, consumers and other businesses can sniff out inauthenticity and lies. We know when something sounds too good to be true. Or, when a product and experience does not align with what’s been said about it by the business. 

Brandch believes authenticity is a competitive edge in a world increasingly afraid to be itself. Here’s how you can shift your approach to owning where you are at.

Why is authenticity a superpower?

Helps you own your values with real conviction- which attracts people to you.

It’s hard to fight for beliefs and values that we adopted from others. It is also hard to maintain  appearances and messaging that we have taken from others as well, that are not ourselves.

When we stop and think about what we believe in and what we truly value, we speak from true conviction rather than adopted belief. We share from stronger positions, and don’t bend for the next trend or system to hide behind.

This is ultimately an enticing force to people. It’s within human nature to be drawn towards those who are self-confident and govern with self-ownership. More importantly, we are drawn to those who are honest. And when we are spending time hiding, lying or creating false identities- others can sense it.

It is increasingly rare, and therefore more important than ever.

The digital world has not made it simple to be yourself. With everything you do under the gaze of others, their judgment and potential scrutiny, we’d rather take the risk of never sharing ourselves at all than to share ourselves and be judged for it.

Which is why it is so important to embrace authenticity as a business now more than ever. Its rarity is pointing to a lack within the market for businesses who are authentic. Filling that lack will be your competitive edge against those who dare not to be themselves.

What happens when you embrace authenticity as a business?

Save energy on trying to be someone you are not.

It is exhausting and draining trying to appear one way rather than appear as yourself. All of these rituals and controlling behaviors we perform to try to control what people think before we ever show up to an event, procure messaging online, or post are draining your energy and time.

If you are a business owner you understand that those two resources are limited, and the most important resources you have.

Why waste them on something that will ultimately hold you back from being confident in the marketplace?

Use that energy to propel your brand forward.

That saved energy and time has to go somewhere. What if it went to building a brand and business you love and is authentic to itself?

And then once you’ve built it, use that extra energy and time to move the business forward in the direction you actually want it to go. Embracing the story that is told along the way rather than hiding.

Helps you help people better.
When you’re convicted in what you do, you believe in what you share. It empowers you to make products and complete services that are aligned with who you are. Allowing you to help people from a greater place. You will find that it is so much easier and smoother to help people from a place of authenticity than fear.

You’ll also find that maybe you’ve compromised on values, sold out in some areas you thought you never would. When you start embracing who you are in the present moment, your business no longer has to drain scope on things that don’t propel it forward. 

You’ll stop spending time on things that keep you from helping the right people who align with that vision.

How to embrace authenticity

It’s a big task to learn how to start being authentic as a business. But you can start simple. Look out for these things and ask yourself these questions

• Look for places where behaviors as a business are done out of fear of ‘what if you didn’t’, or fear of judgment. 
  • Are these things you actually want to be doing? If so, could you do it from a different heart?
  • Can they be replaced with behaviors that are aligned with your values instead? Rather than coming from a place of fear. 
• You first must understand who you are and what matters to you.
  • Take time to understand your vision for your business and how you want to impact others.
    • Try not to stay stuck to the surface level answers like ‘I want to make money’, or ‘Our business cares about this just because it’s the way it’s always been’. Challenge why you believe what you believe, and understand the roots behind the surface. 
• Find new ways to share from an authentic place. 
  • Analyze your social media, website, or branding.
    • How much of it is borrowed, or not fully true?
    • Can you find ways to make it easier to share who your business truly is?

This isn’t a perfect solution, it is merely a start. Be a catalyst for others to begin embracing themselves, whether it’s your consumers or its fellow competitor businesses.