Chapter 18
Authenticity
By definition, you can't fake being authentic. You don't need to look in a dictionary to figure that out—it's easy to spot a phony person. They are obvious and usually not very well liked. Unfortunately, these are the same people who are so consumed with putting on airs that they don't realize others can see through their act.
It's the person who pretends to like you and then rolls his eyes as you turn away. Or the person who has a frown, followed by a huge fake smile that immediately fades when heads are turned. Or the person who offers an insincere invitation for lunch.
Don't think for a moment the contact or others who are close by don't notice such unwelcoming, insincere behavior. Genuinely happy interactions with people will elicit a smile that will naturally stay on your face even after the conversation is finished.
Contacts will see through a phony fa
ade eventually and, really, putting on airs must be exhausting. At the end of the day, only you will know the real you. Not being true to yourself will hinder your ability to connect genuinely with others and, most importantly, keep you from being truly happy.
Consistency in character is essential to projecting an authentic image. If you treat everyone equally and stay true to your personal values and beliefs, this shouldn't be a challenge. Depending on the environment, your behavior will change, but your ...
