Authenticity - How Genuine is Your Business To Others?

 Three hundred Spartans, at war against a million Persians. The battle is ancient, but the movie is modern. When "300" was released in early 2007, the epic war film of the Battle Of Thermopylae, the critics were appalled; blood, gore, devoid of a plot, and 'more severed meat than you'd find in a Brazilian steakhouse,' they howled.

Then the movie opened. Consumers responded. And in two days' time, the critic's words were like the Persians, lying in bloody heaps on the ground. People loved the movie; they passionately spread the word to their friends and their cyberfriends, in their blogs, and on their online forums. They ignored the critics, if they had ever heard them at all, and showed up at the theatres in droves.

For a movie slated for mediocrity by the experts, "300" grossed $70 million in its first weekend, far outpacing the second-place movie at $27 million. With its release on DVD and in rental outlets, it has gone on to gross over $300 million in its first nine months.

What the critics forgot was that they aren't the movie-going public. You are.

Consumers are now in love with authentic communication that is unfiltered and unbiased. The explosion of electronic communication like text messaging, IM, and blogs provide strong evidence that hype is no longer hip. Reality TV, the ultimate unfiltered mass entertainment vehicle of the new millennium, is the anti-script. The stars are now everyday people, and the influencers are now consumers with keyboards.

People care what others with similar interests think, and it has never been easier to discover what they are thinking, what they like, and what they don't like. This is the new advertising; it's word-of-mouth to the millionth power.

Ironically, the more we communicate in open, honest "wiki" ways, the more we become repulsed by hype and empty promises, as consumers and as business owners. Those salespeople stuck in the tired, plaid tactics of the past are finding it harder and harder to sell with Reality. They wave their arms around, obliviously blaming the economy, the competition, and the new guy for their lack of results.

Those who have found Authenticity are winning.

Authenticity equals reality in the corporate world. Being genuine in what you do, the promises you make, and who you are is what authenticity entails. Authenticity, unlike charisma or charm, may be learned through practice. Discovering your Authentic tale entails utilizing your assets, creating an original story, being open and honest, and remaining consistent.

The Four Laws of Authenticity were established to assist you in discovering - or re-discovering - that great, powerful, and GENUINE tale that the public craves today. These Four Laws - The Law of Freedom, The Law of Originality, The Law of Transparency, and The Law of Repeatability - are essential for you to study and comprehend if you want to be seen as someone who others can trust.

You and your business become more fascinating when you become authentic. You become considerably more adept at initiating discussions. You'll figure out how to connect your personal experiences to your sales pitch. You keep your attention on the brand characteristics that meet your clients' needs. And you get better at whatever it is you're doing.

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Heading for a Breakup? Try Working on Communication First

 We've all been there: we find ourselves repeating the same argument with a loved one, going in circles, and occasionally resorting to name-calling, blaming, and yelling in an attempt to be heard. We're frustrated, yet we can't seem to stop or find a new method to communicate.

The Conflict Cycle

One of us stomps fiercely, while the other withdraws into stone stillness. We still care, but we're at a loss as to how to put an end to these vexing disagreements. We may decide that it's a sign that we're not meant to be together and end the relationship as a result. Is this really necessary? Is there another way to deal with these difficulties, a new method of talking that can help the partnership survive?

Nonviolent Communication

Marshall Rosenberg, the author of "Nonviolent Communication: the Language of Life" states that all humans are the same in their basic makeup and approach to life. Rosenberg states that human interaction is based on universal needs, feelings, and strategies to get our needs meet. Examples of universal feelings are happiness, sadness, confusion, and anger. Some universal needs are love, security, the need to be understood, and the need for trust. Conflict happens when we identify the other person's conduct rather than seeking to understand our own and our partner's feelings and needs. For example, if our partner arrives late, we may label him or her "inconsiderate" and say things like "you never consider my feelings."! The other person answers "You're always nagging me!" and "I can't do anything right with you!" This is an example of communication that drives people apart because it is based on judging and labeling, instead of stating needs and feelings.

Communicating Without Blaming

For Rosenberg, the key to better communication would be for each person to identify their needs and feelings. The angry partner could say "I'm angry you because I need to feel like you care enough to call when you will be home. I'm frightened that something might have happened to you." The other partner might respond "I feel angry when you call me inconsiderate because you didn't even ask me why I was late. I had a last-minute assignment at work. I feel afraid because when you're angry I worry that you will leave me." This is an example of communication without "labeling" which means placing value judgments on another person's behavior (in other words, blaming). 

Learn to Connect

Rosenberg's model of communication is an excellent tool for couples struggling with communication. Before you give up on your relationship, try working on the language you use with each other. With practice, you may find that changing the words you use can help revive the intimacy you are longing for.

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