Authenticity vs. Being Helpful

Written by Eric Walker on Aug 4, 2011 3:25 pm

We hear the word "authenticity" a lot these days. I'm here to tell you that your goal shouldn't be authenticity. I'd argue that no one is authentic unless they have a serious mental disorder.

The phrase is over-used. The word "authentic" gets tossed around by marketers especially in the social media space. And you know what? It sets off alarms for me. It should you too. Just like when you hear a person say, "To be honest..." which makes me wonder when that person really is honest.

Skip authenticity. Be wise. Know your audience and use your best filter. Being "authentic" for the sake of authenticity isn't always helpful. And that's my argument here ...

Being helpful trumps authenticity any day.

Present your most helpful side to the people who need it, and do so with as much genuine interest in other people's success as you can possibly muster. That's the kind of business sense that will serve you much more than "being authentic."

What do you think ...
Authentic or Helpful?

Eric