Redefining Authenticity: More Than Just a Buzzword

Dear Readers,

Ah, ‘Authenticity’ – the buzzword of the decade that’s been bandied about so much, it almost risks losing its essence. Now, I’ll be honest: I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this word. While I find myself using it frequently, it sometimes feels as though it’s boxing us in, suggesting there’s only one ‘true’ version of ourselves that we need to stick to. This perspective, quite frankly, doesn’t leave much room for the evolution of our personalities, or acknowledge the fact that many of us need to adapt our behavior in different social contexts – a nod to the art of code-switching, which, by the way, might be a peculiarly American phenomenon (but that’s a topic for another day).

Let’s set the record straight: Growing and evolving doesn’t mean you’re losing your authenticity. Nor does changing your stripes now and then, or adapting your language and behavior in different settings. It’s not about being inauthentic; it’s about survival, adaptation, and sometimes, just plain courtesy.

The crux of authenticity, in my opinion, lies in ‘Honoring’ – yes, with a capital ‘H’. It’s about honoring what rings true for you. For brands, it’s about staying true to their core values, whether it’s a commitment to environmental sustainability or an innovative idea. For individuals, it’s about embracing and expressing our multifaceted selves.

Consider the white guy who grew up in Ghana, speaks fluent Twi, and can’t stop raving about the local cuisine. That’s authenticity in action. Imagine if he eventually becomes the CEO of a major corporation in London, speaking in a polished British accent, yet effortlessly slipping into his ‘lingua-ghana’ when he’s among fellow Ghanaians. Isn’t that wonderfully authentic? It’s a delightful blend of his upbringing and current life, a testament to his rich, diverse experiences.

On the other side of the coin, there are those who morph into a completely different persona, not as a natural progression, but as an escape from their past. Picture the woman who, upon marrying into wealth, adopts a snobbish demeanor, forsaking her humble, yet enriching, beginnings in rural Missouri. Her past, filled with challenges that honed her intelligence and resourcefulness, is something she now shuns. This, to me, is a clear case of forsaking authenticity. Such drastic changes often come across as insincere, leaving an impression of inauthenticity.

So, here’s some food for thought: Authenticity isn’t static; it’s dynamic, evolving as we grow and navigate through life’s myriad experiences. It’s about embracing all facets of our journey, the good, the bad, and everything in between.

With pure love and a dash of authenticity,

Chu

Photo by Markus Spiske