Comments on: F@%k It Friday: Authenticity http://punkrockhr.com/friday-6/ Anti-Establishment Career Advice Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:54:46 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Low on the Totem Pole http://punkrockhr.com/friday-6/#comment-13737 Low on the Totem Pole Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:44:11 +0000 http://punkrockhr.com/?p=4578#comment-13737 Authenticity has so many interpretations - I wonder how much authenticity is a positive thing or an excuse for some people to be obnoxious? My MIL is often “authentic,” she says what is on her mind regardless of what people might think or whose feelings she may hurt – she is also very sensitive to any criticism pointed in her direction. It is painful to be around her at times and I am NEVER able to be my self because my relationship with my in-laws would end when I authentically told her to jump off of a bridge the next time she said something rude and hurtful. This is why I think authenticity is somewhat bogus, what is authentic? We are not fixed in stone. We are mutable, changeable based on circumstance, age, place… I am “authentic” with my children, but who I am with my children has changed as they have. Long/short – authenticity in organizations is critical for their survival and success. I think it is tough to find an organization that is authentic because, as with individuals, it is hard to first he honest with yourself about who you are – only x10 when it’s a whole group of people, including executives who have bought in on their own superiority. “Authenticity” does not exist for politicians – it is too buried in the muck we have created and seem to like since we keep supporting and electing these jokers. “Authenticity” for individuals is often another mask or an excuse to continue being thoughtless and mindless to other people’s troubles, pains etc. because, after all, you’re just being you. To be genuinely authentic, we would first need to know who we are and honestly accept all facets of our own character/personality – which most people are not okay with doing because we want to believe that we are good people so most of us don’t look too close… Authenticity has so many interpretations – I wonder how much authenticity is a positive thing or an excuse for some people to be obnoxious? My MIL is often “authentic,” she says what is on her mind regardless of what people might think or whose feelings she may hurt – she is also very sensitive to any criticism pointed in her direction. It is painful to be around her at times and I am NEVER able to be my self because my relationship with my in-laws would end when I authentically told her to jump off of a bridge the next time she said something rude and hurtful.

This is why I think authenticity is somewhat bogus, what is authentic? We are not fixed in stone. We are mutable, changeable based on circumstance, age, place… I am “authentic” with my children, but who I am with my children has changed as they have.

Long/short – authenticity in organizations is critical for their survival and success. I think it is tough to find an organization that is authentic because, as with individuals, it is hard to first he honest with yourself about who you are – only x10 when it’s a whole group of people, including executives who have bought in on their own superiority.

“Authenticity” does not exist for politicians – it is too buried in the muck we have created and seem to like since we keep supporting and electing these jokers.

“Authenticity” for individuals is often another mask or an excuse to continue being thoughtless and mindless to other people’s troubles, pains etc. because, after all, you’re just being you. To be genuinely authentic, we would first need to know who we are and honestly accept all facets of our own character/personality – which most people are not okay with doing because we want to believe that we are good people so most of us don’t look too close…

]]> By: Travis Smith http://punkrockhr.com/friday-6/#comment-13717 Travis Smith Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:18:30 +0000 http://punkrockhr.com/?p=4578#comment-13717 "Authenticity is a problem in organizational communications,not so much in interpersonal stuff. The audience determines who is or isn’t authentic. That’s the bad news about working with an audience." From, http://www.twocolorhat.com/090709-free-links @travka “Authenticity is a problem in organizational communications,not so much in interpersonal stuff. The audience determines who is or isn’t authentic. That’s the bad news about working with an audience.” From, http://www.twocolorhat.com/090709-free-links
@travka

]]> By: Amanda Hite @sexythinker http://punkrockhr.com/friday-6/#comment-13637 Amanda Hite @sexythinker Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:26:27 +0000 http://punkrockhr.com/?p=4578#comment-13637 being the authentic, unapologetic you is totally on trend.. It does seem to be the "it" buzz word. I think it's because we're all so over fake, controlled and packaged BS. We crave real world stuff we relate to, genuine intentions and down and dirty delivery. Really deep down we all just want to be accepted for who we are. The anxiety of trying to fit in sucks. My definition of being authentic is demonstrating that I accept that true version of myself by being who I am unapologetically, despite pressure to do otherwise It takes a lot of courage to BE that person you wake up and see everyday in the mirror but when you do you sleep a lot better at night. Thank you for another great discussion Laurie. I appreciate what you do here. being the authentic, unapologetic you is totally on trend.. It does seem to be the “it” buzz word. I think it’s because we’re all so over fake, controlled and packaged BS. We crave real world stuff we relate to, genuine intentions and down and dirty delivery.

Really deep down we all just want to be accepted for who we are. The anxiety of trying to fit in sucks. My definition of being authentic is demonstrating that I accept that true version of myself by being who I am unapologetically, despite pressure to do otherwise It takes a lot of courage to BE that person you wake up and see everyday in the mirror but when you do you sleep a lot better at night.

Thank you for another great discussion Laurie. I appreciate what you do here.

]]> By: MattyMat http://punkrockhr.com/friday-6/#comment-13595 MattyMat Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:55:39 +0000 http://punkrockhr.com/?p=4578#comment-13595 Chimps Ahoy!! Chimps Ahoy!!

]]> By: Laurie http://punkrockhr.com/friday-6/#comment-13564 Laurie Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:58:37 +0000 http://punkrockhr.com/?p=4578#comment-13564 @MattyMat Bubbles was a chimp. ;) @MattyMat Bubbles was a chimp. ;)

]]> By: MattyMat http://punkrockhr.com/friday-6/#comment-13554 MattyMat Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:13:51 +0000 http://punkrockhr.com/?p=4578#comment-13554 MJ was authentic about his love for monkeys and little boys-- and not wanting to be black. MJ was authentic about his love for monkeys and little boys– and not wanting to be black.

]]> By: Laurie http://punkrockhr.com/friday-6/#comment-13473 Laurie Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:56:40 +0000 http://punkrockhr.com/?p=4578#comment-13473 @Fran There wasn't an authentic thing about MJ after 1979. I blame his father. @Fran There wasn’t an authentic thing about MJ after 1979. I blame his father.

]]> By: Fran Simon http://punkrockhr.com/friday-6/#comment-13470 Fran Simon Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:52:44 +0000 http://punkrockhr.com/?p=4578#comment-13470 It's interesting that Michael Jackson's name was mentioned in this article. Hmmmm... Authenticity and Michael Jackson. Now, what I want to know is what everyone thinks about Michael Jackson and his authenticity. Now that's a punk rock topic if I have ever heard one. It’s interesting that Michael Jackson’s name was mentioned in this article. Hmmmm… Authenticity and Michael Jackson. Now, what I want to know is what everyone thinks about Michael Jackson and his authenticity. Now that’s a punk rock topic if I have ever heard one.

]]> By: Laurie http://punkrockhr.com/friday-6/#comment-13468 Laurie Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:47:59 +0000 http://punkrockhr.com/?p=4578#comment-13468 @RMS Actually, I do remember that you blogged about it. I was just thinking that my cat, Scrubby, suffers from cognitive dissonance. <em>Is he a cat? Is he my special little guy? Why doesn't he wear cute clothes and act like a baby? Does Scrubby know who he is? Why is there such a disconnect? </em> Maybe that's why he pees. @Shell Oh snap, I hope you're not thinking of me! @RMS Actually, I do remember that you blogged about it. I was just thinking that my cat, Scrubby, suffers from cognitive dissonance. Is he a cat? Is he my special little guy? Why doesn’t he wear cute clothes and act like a baby? Does Scrubby know who he is? Why is there such a disconnect?

Maybe that’s why he pees.

@Shell Oh snap, I hope you’re not thinking of me!

]]> By: Shell http://punkrockhr.com/friday-6/#comment-13458 Shell Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:48:07 +0000 http://punkrockhr.com/?p=4578#comment-13458 This made me think of an old Bill Cosby bit. He tells a story about being at a party in the 70's and seeing a guy doing cocaine. Bill asks the guy "What's the big deal with cocaine, anyway?" The guy says "Because it enhances your personality." And Bill asks, "But what if you're an asshole?" What if your authentic self is an asshole? Or is it possible that your authentic self could be an asshole? Or is being an asshole really a cover for being insecure about who your authentic self really is? (yeah, I'm thinking of a particular person who is always an asshole.) This made me think of an old Bill Cosby bit. He tells a story about being at a party in the 70’s and seeing a guy doing cocaine. Bill asks the guy “What’s the big deal with cocaine, anyway?” The guy says “Because it enhances your personality.” And Bill asks, “But what if you’re an asshole?”

What if your authentic self is an asshole? Or is it possible that your authentic self could be an asshole? Or is being an asshole really a cover for being insecure about who your authentic self really is? (yeah, I’m thinking of a particular person who is always an asshole.)

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