Welcome to “Authenticity Enabled”

The “Authenticity Enabled” newsletter covers topics related to personal authenticity in a professional world and beyond. Expect a blend of academic and professional insights, concepts, and ideas that are shaping how you build confidence in showing up authentically. This newsletter is an essential resource for professionals who want to develop their personal brand through authentic positioning.

I am not a native English speaker, and the word “authenticity” was not a part of my vocabulary until a few years ago. Even growing up and living in Ryazan (a small town near Moscow), ‘autentichnost’ hasn’t really been my go-to word to describe something either. Later, when I visited places and people would say, “This feels authentic,” I remember wondering if perhaps everyone knows what this means except me. I inquired about the meaning, and friends would say, “You know … you can feel, this place has a unique vibe.” I sensed the vibe, but I still didn’t know what authenticity meant.

⏭️⏭️⏭️ Fast forward to 2022, and I found the ACIOTA™ Personal Brand assessment, the cornerstone of which is the concept of personal authenticity. You can see I’ve done some research 🙂 (in fact, not only me, we were a group of scholars).

Today, I launch this newsletter to share what I’ve learnt and am still learning – and it is my WHY for this endeavor.

Here is what you can expect

Think of this as your bi-weekly reflection and inspiration source towards living happier and more content via a more authentic you day-to-day, at work, at home, with friends, with strangers … you get the point. We’ll explore:

• What does it mean to be authentic, and how does it show up in your daily life
• Aspects of authenticity, such as credibility and integrity, and how to cultivate them for social magnetism
• Personal vs brand authenticity – what can we learn from the marketing of this world
• Timeless and latest academic and professional trends in the research of authenticity and its impact
• Psychology of authenticity, its flip sides, and why people are often afraid to be true to themselves, aka the authenticity dilemma.

Join me on this journey to discovering, presenting, and living our authentic selves!

First value piece on the meaning of authenticity and its benefits, so you get a quick taste of what’s coming

Derived from the Greek word “authentikos,” which means original and genuine, authenticity, in its simple form, represents our capacity to be ourselves. And the caveat is in precisely this simplicity and the word “capacity.” To become authentic, we not only need to recognize our intrinsic qualities and character traits, but also be willing to express and embody them consistently.

Authenticity starts with knowing who you are.

It encompasses your individual preferences, tastes, aspirations, ways of talking, humor, and so much more—the central point of all that is values.

Think of values as guiding stars

For example, I am a friendly person - friendliness is my value. That means I am friendly, approachable, and open to strangers (quite the opposite of my original post-Soviet culture, btw). Of course, I am irritated at times, but you can always expect me to be at least polite. This is how I live the value of friendliness.

Why am I saying you need to be ok with your values? Continuing the topic, I have often heard the advice not to smile at strangers (hello USSR) because you might seem too approachable, too nice, too soft, you name it. But this would run contrary to my value of friendliness. See where I am with it? If I listen to the advice (although genuine), it simply won’t be me.

When you live true to your values, this happens:

1. Stronger personal connections - authenticity influences the quality of relationships as it builds trust among people. Others know what to expect from you and know that you are genuine.
2. Better career prospects - authenticity directly affects your employability (aka career potential) and personal growth. You are more engaged at work when your work is aligned with your values and passions: better motivation, stronger results, happier you, higher pay.
3. Higher self-esteem and radiating confidence - authenticity affects confidence and trust in own capabilities. We are happier when we know we can do it and we’ve got our own back.

Authenticity of a personal brand is a meeting point of how you see yourself and how you portray your image to others. When you know your values, you are able to showcase yourself accurately, truthfully, and consistently.

Have I convinced you to subscribe? If yes, I look forward to your readership and engagement.

Let me know in the comments what has resonated with you and what you would want to see more of on the topic of personal authenticity.

My very friendly best,

Lina