When Authenticity Is Fake

Faithful on the Clock is a podcast with the mission of getting your work and faith aligned. We want you to understand Who you're serving and why so you can get more joy and legacy from every minute spent on the clock. Thanks for joining us and taking this step toward a more fulfilling job and relationship with God!

Want to join us on social media?

We'd love to have you stay up-to-date with the show on all our platforms!

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

In this episode...

When Authenticity Is Fake

https://faithfulontheclock.com/when-authenticity-is-fake

Everybody’s talking about being authentic, but that doesn’t mean everybody’s actually genuine. This episode of Faithful on the Clock explores how to tell the authentic professionals from the fakes, and how to make sure others see you as real.

Timestamps:

[00:05] - Intro

[00:35] - I might sound different because I’m recovering from COVID.

[00:50] - Many companies are traditional, using waterfall/hierarchical structures. But they know the importance of authenticity.

[01:36] - Hero leadership is dying out. Authentic leadership is important because we all have a need to feel unconditionally loved and accepted.

[02:25] - Previous scandals show that people respond to novelty and individualism in apology. 

[03:18] - Everyone seems to be jumping on the authenticity train, which makes it hard to discern if they in fact are being authentic.

[04:06] - The big question is who is authentic and how to make sure people get the right impression from you. 

[04:25] - Authentic people have a natural, consistent flow, revealing themselves gradually and organically over time. There should be evidence of this journey when you evaluate someone.

[05:21] - Context also matters in determining authenticity. You may be invited to share your message if you are developing organically. Watch to make sure the demeanor of the person you are watching does not change according to their environment or circumstances. 

[06:32] - Authentic people can learn and change their minds, but they give good rationales for their shifts. They don’t gossip, and they can reveal the entire spectrum of their emotions.

[07:47] - How someone responds to challenges (competition) is a big clue to authenticity, as well. Authentic people are happy to cheer others on. Iron-sharpens-iron is a better approach than dog-eat-dog.

[08:38] - 2 Corinthians 1:12 reminds us to reflect God in how we interact with people.

[09:23] - Proverbs 11:3 reminds us that God does keep score–people with authenticity and integrity will win, while those who are crooked will not prosper.

[10:34] - Prayer

[11:23] - Outro/What’s coming up next

Key takeaways:

• There is a trend in business to push for authenticity and abandon more traditional hero leadership styles.
• The worry I have in the authenticity “movement” is that some people are doing it just to paint the right image and follow the trend, not because they care about being real.
• Authentic people have a natural, consistent flow in the way they reveal themselves. It builds organically and doesn’t really change over time.
• Context matters with authenticity. By observing how people behave in different environments, you can discern how genuine they are. People who pivot based on circumstances probably are not authentic.
• Authentic people are good communicators. They have clear rationales and priorities, and they follow through with what they say. They are not egotistical or driven by rumors or gossip.
• People who are authentic know their strengths and weaknesses. They are not threatened by others and will support their neighbor. An iron-sharpens-iron approach is their motto, not dog-eat-dog.
• 2 Corinthians 1:12 encourages you to be honest, as God is honest. Proverbs 11:3 is a good reminder that God will give appropriate due to people who fake their authenticity and get ahead because of it. 

• 3 Characteristics of Biblical Authenticity

CTAs:

• Self-assess your efforts to be honest and real. How do your behavior and communication reflect your authenticity?
• Make a list of things that hold you back from better authenticity. Find some accountability buddies who can help you address the items on that list.

What’s coming up next:

In Episode 45 of Faithful on the Clock, we’re talking about lauding businesses and individual professionals. Why is it OK to name names when things go right, but not when they go wrong, and how does that connect to the greater accountability we need in the corporate space?

Support the show!

Visit the Faithful on the Clock Patreon page to choose a tier plan and become a supporting member. You'll gain access to goodies like early episode access, newsletters, and more based on the plan that's right for you.

Support this Podcast