Being authentic. Not as easy as it looks

I had a reminder today about something that I already "knew". By nature, I'm something of an introvert, although there are many people I encounter in life who would call bull**** on that, but they don't know what I kinow about me.

I am the world's worst networker, although Nicki Luxton would disagree and she might know something about me after 24 years of life together.

I've been doing work with Courtney Haines around brand and communications and she has made me do terrible things that make me really uncomfortable. Unspeakable things like a professional phot shoot and changing the look and feel of my company brand.

To begin with I thought how staged and phony all this carefully curated stuff is. But as her cunning plan for me has unfolded, I've realised something. All she's been doing is getting me to reveal my authentic self. My authentic voice and getting comfortable with just being me.

Another horror that she has inflicted on me is the nightmare called "networking". OMG. But, last night I attended an Auckland Chamber of Commerce BA5 where I got to heckle Wayne Brown for his tone deaf and insulting mutterings.

Today I attended a Lunch & Learn Waikato Chamber of Commerce event where Angela March was speaking about brand and comms. Her message was also about authenticity.

I have to ask myself a question here. I've name-checked three powerful and smart young women in this post and they all say the same thing, so I'm reminded of an old saying, which I won't give in full, but it ends with "if three people call you a horse, go and buy a saddle".

So here I am, wearing a saddle and continuing my journey towards just letting me be enough exactly the way I am. I know I'm not alone, but even when I know exactly who I am and what I have to contribute, I still hesitate walking into a room full of people with the voice in my ear saying "you don't deserve to be here and it won't be long until people find you out".

My Mum & Dad raised my brothers and me to not blow our own trumpets or be big noters - ever. However, they're both dead now and I comfort myself with the knowledge that whatever else happens on this wild ride to becoming a complete human being (leaving my run a little late at 62, but still...) who I am in the privacy of our home and family is exactly who I am in my business practice.

So, to these bloody women who keep telling me what to do and how to do it, thank you. To anyone who thinks they might be able to use some sensible business advice sourced from decades of practical experience in the trenches, seasoned by some very modern thinking and approaches, perhaps you might think about having a chat, especially if any of the following interests you -

1. I'm curious about selling my business
2. I'd like to accelerate growth in revenue and profit
3. I'd like to make my business better and stronger by degrees every month
4. My business is in real trouble and I need immediate help

Join me on this ride. It leads to good places and things.