Tips for Improving Performance Authenticity

Some of the worst advice out there... not only can you smell it a mile away, but it actually sets you back more than in propels you forward. “Fake It Till You Make It." The mentality might seem harmless... or even empowering. but here’s the truth: it’s a strategy that holds you back in the long run. When we rely on posturing or “faking it,” we create temporary value... a shaky foundation that breeds uncertainty and self-doubt over time. This approach can chip away at genuine confidence, leaving you second-guessing your abilities rather than embracing your true strengths. If you’re “kind of” believing in what you can do, it will lead to “kind of” results. And let’s be honest: no one invests in that. Here’s a path that builds lasting impact and real credibility: 1. Embrace Where You Are Right Now. Actionable Step: List out the top 3 strengths you bring to the table today. Focus on where you already add value. Use this clarity as your guide when you’re in new or challenging situations. This way, you’re building on a solid, authentic foundation... not pretending to be somewhere you’re not. Starting with a clear view of your strengths gives you a confidence rooted in reality... and equips you to approach each opportunity with authenticity. 2. Get Clear on Your Unique Value. Actionable Step: Identify one specific problem you can solve that aligns with your skills and expertise. Write it down in one sentence (e.g., “I help teams bridge strategy and execution gaps to drive measurable results.”). Use this as a go-to when you’re speaking with potential clients or partners. This clarity around your value will set you apart, making it easier for others to see why they should work with you... not just anyone who fits the role. 3. Bridge Your Gaps Authentically. Actionable Step: Acknowledge a skill or area you’re actively developing. Take one concrete action toward growth each week... whether that’s: - reading - building relationships - mentoring Share this journey with trusted colleagues or clients... without underselling yourself... so they experience your commitment to excellence and your drive to evolve. Owning both your strengths and areas for growth builds long-term credibility and shows others that you’re committed to being the best version of yourself. It’s how true leaders inspire and foster trust. And trust accelerates EVERYTHING.

If your team feels like they need to be someone else to succeed, you have a leadership problem.   The truth is that many workplaces reward adaptability over authenticity. But when people spend their careers constantly adjusting to fit the mold, they lose themselves and eventually burn out. If we want our teams to thrive, we must do better.   I didn’t always understand how to do this for myself, but I was a pro at doing it for others. Here’s how:   Prioritize Outcomes Over Conformity Not everyone works the same way, and they shouldn’t have to. Instead of expecting people to approach work exactly like you do, give them the space to succeed in their own way.   ☑️ Instead of focusing on how the work gets done, focus on what success looks like. Provide guidance, not a map.   Personal Connections Over Just Work People aren’t robots. Check in on your team beyond deadlines and deliverables. What energizes them? What drains them? If someone spends most of their time in “drain mode,” their best work (and their engagement) won’t last long. Balance matters. ☑️ Schedule non-work check-ins with your team. 10 minutes will make a difference.   Strengths Over Weaknesses The best teams aren't clones, they're a diverse experiences and skills. Instead of trying to "fix" weaknesses, double down on strengths. ☑️ Recognize what makes each person uniquely valuable and identify ask yourself whether you are bringing their strengths together or asking them to conform? If the latter, fix it by adjusting roles, or assignments to align with what they do best.   Lead Like a Human (My Non-Negotiable) Want authenticity from your team? Model it yourself. Share your leadership journey, the challenges you’ve faced, and the lessons you’ve learned. Leaders who admit they don’t have all the answers create space for others to do the same.   Authenticity is not a fun buzzword, it’s a leadership responsibility.   When people feel like they can show up as themselves, they bring their best work, their best ideas, and their best energy. When they don’t they burn out, right in front of you, if you even recognize it. 

I’ve been working on a project recently, that involves speaking to several of the world’s leading rainmakers. ☔ ☔ ☔ ☔ ☔ These are leading professionals who consistently bring in significant business, often in ways that seem to others like it happens effortlessly. Yet, when you really listen to them and ask the right questions, a common thread emerges. They each develop business in their own unique way, and they all emphasize the importance of being authentic. What does this mean for the rest of us mere mortals? For these top performers, "authenticity" isn’t a buzzword—it’s a reality. They’re not following someone else’s script, and usually don’t buy-in to an easy-bake-oven type of system. Instead they are leaning into their personal strengths, values, and approaches. So, how do you find your authentic self when it comes to business development? Here are three tips that stood out from my conversations. 🌝 1. Lean into What Feels Natural The rainmakers I spoke with didn’t force themselves to follow a rigid system or copy someone else’s style.  While each was curious as to what might work best in terms of business development, they already were practicing what felt natural to them. Whether it's one-on-one meetings, taking client’s to Broadway shows, involving their own and their clients’ children in an event, they each found shared interests with their prospects and clients. 🌝 2. Know Your Strengths (and Play to Them) Not everyone loves doing a weekly LinkedIn piece, but everyone does have their strengths. Authentic rainmakers are generally not all-around marketers that tick the box in every area, but rather they stick with an approach, and the methods that feel right to them. They use their time wisely. Some are great presenters, others prefer writing, or hosting smaller networking groups or one-on-one lunches 🌝 3. Don’t Chase Every Opportunity The greatest rainmakers don’t say yes to everything. They’re selective, and only pursue opportunities that align with their expertise and values. Being authentic sometimes means saying no, even when a situation seems lucrative. And though they may be saying “ot, not for me,” they will often make referrals to people they trust within their firms or their networks. 💞 Authenticity is Magnetic The rainmakers I’ve spoken with each prove the case that authenticity is a magnet for opportunities. When you're genuine, people trust you and want to work with you. "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde 

Our team starts off every week with a Monday team meeting where the first thing we do is talk about our failures from the previous week... What I discovered a long time ago is that if you want to be a successful and authentic leader, you can't hide behind the varnish of "perfection." The most successful leaders -- those who inspire their people to greatness -- have all figured out that showing up honestly and authentically is a superpower that helps them build deep trust across their teams. All too often I encounter senior-level people who think that they can't be themselves in front of their people. That they can't ever show weakness and have to hide their failures. Here's the thing...you're not hiding it. Your people see you for who you really are, whether you realize it or not. When you try to hide your flaws or failures, they see that too. And that's where trust is lost. Here are three simple things you can start doing right now to show up more authentically and inspire greater trust with your team: 1. Be the first to admit when you fail. Whether in the big things or the small things, own your crap, and tell your people when you mess up. 2. When one of your people comes to you (probably in fear) to admit where they've failed, respond in humility and with compassion. I've also found that taking that opportunity to tell them about one of your previous failures helps to make them feel better in the moment and reminds them that everyone fails. 3. Admit when you don't know something, and encourage others to help you learn and grow by sharing their wisdom with you.