A NOTE ABOUT AUTHENTICITY

“You only have control over three things in your life— the thoughts you think, the images you visualize, and the actions you take.”

—Jack Canfield

To build a Groundswell, your vision, focus, and actions need to be congruent from the very start. Not only that, but they must be original and authentic to you. In their book Authenticity, Joe Pine and James Gilmore write that there are two key principles to consider on the subject: (1) being true to your own self, and (2) being who you say you are to others. As they put it:

Authenticity, we believe, flows from these two principles of thought and action. Together, they help us ascertain the real in an otherwise amorphous landscape. First, the importance of being earnest, consistent, and self-directed centers one on one’s perception of oneself. Second, being trustworthy, honest, and compassionate focuses one on one’s behavior towards others.

During the Build phase is when you have the most control and ability to invest in your thoughts and actions. A empts that are shallow, fake, or inauthentic won’t connect deeply enough to make a lasting impact. You can and should take the time to really sink into and name your origins—your thoughts, ideas, inspirations for original product designs or innovations on existing industry, the specific audience you want to serve, and the impact you want to create. ese are the foundation from which you authentically Build.

Later in Authenticity, Joe Pine and James Gilmore emphasize the importance of origin and history:

Consider: Where and when you came to be who you are today—the place and time in which the enterprise and its o erings originated— with the subsequent history of each in the world, generating the story of who you are today. Companies, as with people, are the products of nature and nurturing. e circumstances of their inception foundationally shape their identity.

If you’re new, create your heritage. If you have a history, bring it to life. Either way, you have to live up to the a ributes of this declared heritage.

Own your authenticity and your role as the source and storm of your Groundswell. e force of your clarity becomes your brand and reputation. Not only does this propel you forward, but it also creates a barrier to the competition. ose who would try to replicate you are found to be shallow. As they say, “ ere can only be one original.”

Ultimately, when you embrace the fullness of your vision, without apology, you tap the wave of hidden potential like nothing else can.