Don’t Fake It To Make It: Authenticity Is The Key To Success

This period is being called “The Great Resignation” due to the shifting business climate and personnel issues around the world. However, there is a technique to assist professionals and leaders in advancing up the ranks, gaining attractive jobs while also significantly improving sales and revenue. Authenticity is the most effective technique of adding value to your target audience by exhibiting unique talents.

Authenticity is  your most powerful way of adding value by expressing your unique gifts and talents for your chosen audience. Authenticity is made up of three key components: Presence, Audience, and Presentation.

PRESENCE

As a leader, you want to be connected with your purpose and greatest gifts to give. What role or purpose do you want to achieve in your career? A clue to your greatest gift to give is found in your greatest wound. Think back to what you wish your parents would  have given you growing up but for whatever reason, they did or could not. For example, maybe you wanted to be accepted for who you are, or seen for your unique gifts and talents.  This is actually your greatest leadership gift to give to others. When you shift from wanting to receive it to giving it freely to others, a transformation to your authentic presence occurs. 

Then you need to convey a sense of assurance. Confidence, on the other hand, should not be confused with arrogance, which is often a sign of insecurity. As a result, your leadership abilities may be misunderstood. It’s a good idea to film yourself giving a presentation to a group and look for several key signals to have a better understanding of how you could appear to others.

·  First, pay attention to the language you use. Condescending statements might provide the impression of superiority, while excessive self-criticism can undermine your leadership abilities. In your language, strike a balance between modesty and skill. However, don’t be scared to admit any areas where you believe you could improve. Not only does a great leader lead, but they also learn from people around them.

·  Because no one is flawless, owning up to your faults is essential for demonstrating that you are not too conceited to own your mistakes and, more significantly, to be self-aware enough to grow from them. On the other hand, recognizing others’ achievements shows that you are not only a team player, but also secure enough in your own strengths to step back and let others shine.

·  Your body language is frequently the first impression you make, so make the most of it. When you go into a room with your chin up and a confident stride, you not only give yourself confidence, but you also let everyone around you know that you belong there. Anything else could be misconstrued as arrogant indifference. Remember that a simple grin can go a long way.

AUDIENCE

Whether you are addressing clients, colleagues, or employees, there are four questions you want to ask yourself about your audience before a presentation.

·  First and foremost, what is the most essential thing to them? Do your homework. If you’re not sure, ask someone in their inner circle who is. If their requirements are not being met or the content is irrelevant to them, a long presentation is pointless.

·  Second, how far are they willing to go? Are they more willing to make sacrifices in terms of price, time, or quality? Every business has a give and take and understanding where that line is may help you keep their attention and make the presentation worthwhile.

·  Third, how much information do they require? Is the data you’re presenting relevant to the overall message? Excessively complex infographics or pie charts can turn off your audience and lead to a time-consuming presentation.

·  Fourth, what is it that draws them in? You have around 60 to 90 seconds to draw in an audience and encourage them to pay attention to you. Make the most of your time. Let them know right away if this presentation is related to their interests or will keep them interested as an audience.

It’s also crucial to know the presentation style of the main decision maker(s) you’ll be addressing. Consider whether they are a point person, a people person, a planner, or a party person, and adjust your wording accordingly. Being in front of an audience is an authentic choice, thus learning how to adapt to that audience will help you best serve that audience and get to yes in any presentation.

PRESENTATION

After you’ve figured out who your audience is, you can move on to the presentation. I recommend following a formula for presentation success. The first two components of that formula are What’s going to be that previously mentioned hook? and What is the executive summary? 

·  Starting with a pertinent quotation or a sensitive and/or anecdotal anecdote will not only pique your audience’s interest, but it can also lay the groundwork for relatability.

·  A solid executive summary is a vital element of your presentation. That is the bottom line, plain and simple. Three elements must be included in an executive summary. The first is your goal. What brings you here? Are you there to provide them with information, inform them, or inspire them? Another step is to figure out what they stand to gain by listening. Is it going to be cost-effective? Is it going to have an effect on their professional life?What kind of influence will this presentation have on your audience?

·  Finally, an executive summary should indicate what you want people to do at the end of your presentation, so they know how to listen. If you want a decision, they’ll know what to look for in order to make it. It aids in the audience’s understanding of the information being delivered. If your presentation is cut short, front-loading that material saves it from being lost.

Those who try to fake their core authentic purpose will never succeed. Authenticity, which is the most potent means of adding value by expressing your unique gifts and talents for your chosen audience, is required for success in any effort.

Dr. Sharon Lamm-Hartman is the Founder and CEO of Inside Out Learning for the past 20 years, Inc. (IOL). IOL is an award‐winning global leadership, team and organization development consulting business.

She has a masters from Cornell University and a doctorate in Leadership and Organization Development from Columbia University where she has served as an Adjunct Faculty Member. Dr. Sharon has worked with tens of thousands of CEOs, executives, educators, professionals, and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Her new book, The Authenticity Code™, is available for preorder on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.