Are We Losing Touch with What It Really Means to be Authentic in Business?
The concept of authenticity is often tossed around, yet its true essence seems to be slipping through our fingers. We hear it all the time: “Be authentic,” “Stay true to yourself,” but what does that actually mean in the context of running a business? Are we losing touch with what it really means to be authentic?
Authenticity, at its core, is simply about being you—unapologetically, wholeheartedly you.
It’s about embracing who you are at the deepest level, acknowledging your strengths, your flaws, and everything in between. It’s the alignment between your inner self and the way you move through the seasons of your business, with you as the driver. It’s not about wearing masks or playing roles; it’s about letting the person you are, at your core, guide the direction of your business.
In the way you choose to build your brand, authenticity shows up as a reflection of your core values, beliefs, and deepest desires. It’s the voice that says, “This is who I am, and this is how I choose to show up in the world.” When you build a business that is true to these elements, it naturally resists the pull to conform to external expectations and industry norms.
This resistance is not an act of rebellion but rather an act of self-love. It’s where the artistry of business and the essence of authenticity come together to create something truly unique.
Authenticity doesn’t mean you have to follow a certain path or adhere to a set of predefined rules. In fact, it’s the exact opposite.
Authenticity is whatever you want it to be because it’s about you—your journey, your experiences, and your truth.
It’s not defined by the expectations of others or the trends of the moment. There’s no one way, no right way, only your way. And that, in itself, is authentic.
In a world that often pressures us to fit into moulds and meet certain standards, staying authentic in business requires courage. It requires you to stand firm in your beliefs and to let those beliefs guide your actions, even when it feels uncomfortable or when others might not understand. But it’s in those moments of discomfort that true authenticity is created.
When you embrace authenticity, you allow your business to grow as an extension of who you are.
It’s no longer just a job that you do; it’s a living, breathing reflection of your inner world. And when your business reflects your authentic self, it resonates with others on a deeper level too.
Clients, partners, and other industry neighbours can sense the genuine nature of your work, and that connection is what builds lasting relationships and a meaningful legacy.
So, are we losing touch with what it means to be authentic in business? Perhaps. But the solution is simple: return to yourself.
Trust that who you are is enough, and that authenticity is not about perfection but about being real, being you.
That is authentic. And that is enough.
